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.
This idea is much more than just a story structure. It is much more than a plotting element, though it is valuable as that in and of itself. It is a road map for self-development, however. Though it is recognized in psychological perspectives, it is a strong way to plan a story using the same principles to make the protagonist in a story become real to the reader.
Departure is one of the steps of this journey. The character or person has to depart to the unknown, leaving the safety of the familiar and venture out to adventures, whether it be a character in a story or a person on a personal journey that must leave the familiar into a future they do not know about.
In a stage where the hero or individual faces the resulting trials and dangers, the initiation stage, the character faces dangers, monsters and other challenges. Their ability to handle catastrophes is challenged. They don't always succeed, but must still continue on in the endeavor, despite what they face.
During what is called the stage return, the hero comes back home. But, he has made major changes and is not at all the same. He has matured due to the trials he overcame, becoming a more mature person who achieved a goal. This is a path resulting in growth and maturity of the character.
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.
Each of the steps fit into the three stages. These same stages and steps can be seen in a person's personal development as well. Sometimes a character that is part of a series remains static, not maturing. Just as a character can be "stuck" in one or more steps, not showing maturity but remaining static, so too can a person's personal development get stuck. The whole process has been detailed in depth in several book length works, but the process can be seen in outline form to guide a writer's plot.
This idea is much more than just a story structure. It is much more than a plotting element, though it is valuable as that in and of itself. It is a road map for self-development, however. Though it is recognized in psychological perspectives, it is a strong way to plan a story using the same principles to make the protagonist in a story become real to the reader.
Departure is one of the steps of this journey. The character or person has to depart to the unknown, leaving the safety of the familiar and venture out to adventures, whether it be a character in a story or a person on a personal journey that must leave the familiar into a future they do not know about.
In a stage where the hero or individual faces the resulting trials and dangers, the initiation stage, the character faces dangers, monsters and other challenges. Their ability to handle catastrophes is challenged. They don't always succeed, but must still continue on in the endeavor, despite what they face.
During what is called the stage return, the hero comes back home. But, he has made major changes and is not at all the same. He has matured due to the trials he overcame, becoming a more mature person who achieved a goal. This is a path resulting in growth and maturity of the character.
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.
Each of the steps fit into the three stages. These same stages and steps can be seen in a person's personal development as well. Sometimes a character that is part of a series remains static, not maturing. Just as a character can be "stuck" in one or more steps, not showing maturity but remaining static, so too can a person's personal development get stuck. The whole process has been detailed in depth in several book length works, but the process can be seen in outline form to guide a writer's plot.
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