Many study myths by studying the different methods used by each writer. Joseph Campbell, however, instead of contrasting the methods studies how they compare them as being the same. This method of study led to the system named the heros journey. Both authors use it to plan their plots and individuals use it to direct their lives.
Though this system is a story structure, and a plotting element, it is much more than that. It is a great writing tool, but it is also used as a road map for a self-development journey. Though this is realized in the psychological field as a means of self-development, it is also a great way to use the same development principles to portray a protagonist to help them become real to the 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.
Once the hero has departed to the unknown, he faces all the trials and catastrophes facing him, such as monsters and other dangers. His skill and ability to deal with conflict is tested. Though he may not always triumph over it all, and really will not, he will persevere in spite of whatever 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 journey can be related to the drama of a story. The departure stage is the same as the thesis. This is the world as it currently is for the protagonist. The antithesis is when the character faces opposing forces, and the antagonist. The synthesis stage is when the hero has accomplished, or not, all he sets out to do, and goes home to try and combine the old world and the new one.
The stages in this process translates into ten steps as Campbell identified. The steps include the ordinary world, the adventure, crossing the first adventure (the point of no return), the trials and foes faced, rescue by a magical mentor, in the dragon's lair, the moment of despair when all seems lost, the ultimate treasure, homeward journey, and the maturity and home at last.
The steps all fit into the three stages. These can both be seen in a person's personal development strategies, too. Characters can get stuck in a particular step, not maturing but becoming static. This often happens with characters that remain the same in a series, such as a TV series. A person's personal development can also become static, with no maturity happening. Several books by various authors have addressed these issues, but the brief outline here guiding the writing of plot can show the whole process briefly.
Though this system is a story structure, and a plotting element, it is much more than that. It is a great writing tool, but it is also used as a road map for a self-development journey. Though this is realized in the psychological field as a means of self-development, it is also a great way to use the same development principles to portray a protagonist to help them become real to the 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.
Once the hero has departed to the unknown, he faces all the trials and catastrophes facing him, such as monsters and other dangers. His skill and ability to deal with conflict is tested. Though he may not always triumph over it all, and really will not, he will persevere in spite of whatever 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 journey can be related to the drama of a story. The departure stage is the same as the thesis. This is the world as it currently is for the protagonist. The antithesis is when the character faces opposing forces, and the antagonist. The synthesis stage is when the hero has accomplished, or not, all he sets out to do, and goes home to try and combine the old world and the new one.
The stages in this process translates into ten steps as Campbell identified. The steps include the ordinary world, the adventure, crossing the first adventure (the point of no return), the trials and foes faced, rescue by a magical mentor, in the dragon's lair, the moment of despair when all seems lost, the ultimate treasure, homeward journey, and the maturity and home at last.
The steps all fit into the three stages. These can both be seen in a person's personal development strategies, too. Characters can get stuck in a particular step, not maturing but becoming static. This often happens with characters that remain the same in a series, such as a TV series. A person's personal development can also become static, with no maturity happening. Several books by various authors have addressed these issues, but the brief outline here guiding the writing of plot can show the whole process briefly.
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