1. The HeroThe Hero
Tools for Analysis

2. The Hero: Tools for AnalysisThe Hero: Tools for Analysis
Joseph Campbell – most popular

3. The Hero: Joseph CampbellThe Hero: Joseph Campbell
◦ The Hero’s Journey involves the following
common elements (dubbed the “monomyth”)
 Departure: Call to adventure, Refusal of the call,
Supernatural aid, etc.
 Initiation: Road of trials, meeting the goddess,
atonement with father, ultimate boon, etc.
 Return: Refusal of return, magic flight, return
threshold, freedom to live

4. The Hero: Joseph CampbellThe Hero: Joseph Campbell
◦ The Hero’s Journey and the “Monomyth”
 Very popular among Hollywood writers and
directors:
Popular examples:
Star Wars
The Matrix

5. The Hero: Joseph CampbellThe Hero: Joseph Campbell
◦ In Myth and Knowing, Leonard & McClure have
strong reservations about Campbell’s
approach.
 “Campbell carries forward the 19th
-century bias against
the “primitive” races who still believed in their myths.”
(12)
 Focuses on the “rugged individual,” which may actually
be specific to western/American culture. (17)

6. The Hero: Joseph CampbellThe Hero: Joseph Campbell
◦ In Myth and Knowing, Leonard & McClure say:
 “Campbell promoted what he called a ‘living
mythology,’ a nonsectarian spiritual path through
which the individual might gain a sense of spiritual
and social purpose and through which society might
be returned to simplicity and moral virtue.” (18)

7. The Hero: Joseph CampbellThe Hero: Joseph Campbell
◦ Does Joseph Campbell’s monomyth tell you
more about the story, or Campbell’s vision of
a “nonsectarian spiritual path?”

8. The Hero: Tools for AnalysisThe Hero: Tools for Analysis
So, how do we analyze hero stories?

9. The Hero: Tools for AnalysisThe Hero: Tools for Analysis
So, how do we analyze hero stories?
◦ Examine the context of the story (Greek,
Sumerian, Chinese, American, etc.)

10. The Hero: Tools for AnalysisThe Hero: Tools for Analysis
What does the story mean for the
people who produce/use it?
◦ The telling of myths should be treated as
performances or texts through which the structure
of the performer’s culture may be reconstructed
and understood.
-Robert Layton, University of Durham

11. The Hero: Tools for AnalysisThe Hero: Tools for Analysis
 What values are
expressed in the story?
 How are these
messages the same or
different than those of
another culture?

12. The Hero: Tools for AnalysisThe Hero: Tools for Analysis
How would you apply these tools to
the following myths and stories?

13. The Hero: PerseusThe Hero: Perseus
Click for Perseus' story
Perseus is a premiere
example of Greek heroism.
He overcomes all obstacles
to defend his family and exact
revenge. He proves
honorable and valiant, calm
and clever.
As he fights for his
mother's respect and hopes
for his estranged father's
love, he values family and
loyalty above all else (Source)

14. The Hero: JonahThe Hero: Jonah
Click for Jonah's story
Set in mid-8th
century
Israel. Under King
Jeroboam II, Israel achieved
its most prosperous time
since Solomon, regaining
lost territory and wealth.
Messages include God’s
sovereignty and man’s
need to obey the laws and
calling of God.

15. The Hero: Joan of ArcThe Hero: Joan of Arc
Click for Joan's story
15th
-century French
heroine and Roman
Catholic saint. Led
miraculous military
victories over English and
Burgundian forces.
Seen as an example of
Catholic devotion, a
woman in a traditionally
male leadership position, a
martyr for her faith, etc.

16. The Hero: QuestionsThe Hero: Questions
How are hero stories used to inspire
individuals
How do hero stories convey the values
of a society?
Can a story originate in one context, yet
take on another meaning in a different
social context? (Please give examples.)