Joseph Campbell is a mythologist who studied mythologies in a different method than did others. Instead of studying by contrasting how they were different, he compared how they were the same. This led to the development of the heros journey. It is used both by authors to direct their plots, and by individuals to direct their lives.
This idea is not just about story structure. It is about much more than that. Though it is a valuable tool in plotting, it is also identified as a road map to self-improvement. Though it is recognized by psychologists, it is more identified as a writing tool for planning a story's plot. The same principles used for self-improvement are used to make a character come to life for a reader.
One of the steps for this journey is that of departure. The character, or the individual if it is not a story, is called to depart to the unknown. They leave the comfort of their familiar life and venture out, to a great adventure in the case of the story, or to what to a person is somewhat of an adventure because they are not sure of what the future holds.
Initiation is the stage when the hero faces all the trials and tribulations. They must face the dangers, monsters, or whatever their challenges are. The hero's skill and ability to handle conflict is tested. He may not always triumph, in fact he will not, but must persevere regardless to the outcome he faces.
During the stage named return, the hero must return home, no longer the same person. The trials he has withstood have matured him. He has a goal to achieve, and is now a mature person. This stage involves growth of the character as he matures. This is the ultimate goal of a story character, this change.
This system can be related to how the drama of a story unfolds. The thesis corresponds to the departure stage. This is the current world for the protagonist. The antithesis is the catastrophes that the character must face, and the antagonist they face. The synthesis stage is at the end, when they character has or has not set out what he wants, but has matured and is attempting to combine the old world he once knew with the one he now faces.
The three stages in the journey translates to ten steps. These are include: Step 1-The Ordinary World; Step 2-The Call to Adventure; Step 3-Cross the First Threshold (point of no return); Step 4-Trials, Friends, and Foes; Step 5-Magical Mentor (or the Mentor with Supernatural Aid); Step 6-Dragon's Lair; Step 7-Moment of Despair; Step 8-Ultimate Treasure; Step 9-Homeward Bound; Step 10-Rebirth & The Champion's Return.
All of these steps make up the three stages. These can be seen in the character's growth as well as in a person's individual development. Sometimes the character remains static when they need to be the same throughout a series. They remain static in one step, not showing maturity. In a similar way, an individual's progress may get stuck also. Several authors have dealt with this whole process in books, but this outline form will help a writer guide their plot.
This idea is not just about story structure. It is about much more than that. Though it is a valuable tool in plotting, it is also identified as a road map to self-improvement. Though it is recognized by psychologists, it is more identified as a writing tool for planning a story's plot. The same principles used for self-improvement are used to make a character come to life for a reader.
One of the steps for this journey is that of departure. The character, or the individual if it is not a story, is called to depart to the unknown. They leave the comfort of their familiar life and venture out, to a great adventure in the case of the story, or to what to a person is somewhat of an adventure because they are not sure of what the future holds.
Initiation is the stage when the hero faces all the trials and tribulations. They must face the dangers, monsters, or whatever their challenges are. The hero's skill and ability to handle conflict is tested. He may not always triumph, in fact he will not, but must persevere regardless to the outcome he faces.
During the stage named return, the hero must return home, no longer the same person. The trials he has withstood have matured him. He has a goal to achieve, and is now a mature person. This stage involves growth of the character as he matures. This is the ultimate goal of a story character, this change.
This system can be related to how the drama of a story unfolds. The thesis corresponds to the departure stage. This is the current world for the protagonist. The antithesis is the catastrophes that the character must face, and the antagonist they face. The synthesis stage is at the end, when they character has or has not set out what he wants, but has matured and is attempting to combine the old world he once knew with the one he now faces.
The three stages in the journey translates to ten steps. These are include: Step 1-The Ordinary World; Step 2-The Call to Adventure; Step 3-Cross the First Threshold (point of no return); Step 4-Trials, Friends, and Foes; Step 5-Magical Mentor (or the Mentor with Supernatural Aid); Step 6-Dragon's Lair; Step 7-Moment of Despair; Step 8-Ultimate Treasure; Step 9-Homeward Bound; Step 10-Rebirth & The Champion's Return.
All of these steps make up the three stages. These can be seen in the character's growth as well as in a person's individual development. Sometimes the character remains static when they need to be the same throughout a series. They remain static in one step, not showing maturity. In a similar way, an individual's progress may get stuck also. Several authors have dealt with this whole process in books, but this outline form will help a writer guide their plot.
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