The Ultimate Hero's Journey
Page 5
Dodgeball: The guys get hurt in very creative ways, usually involving things thrown at them. There is no blood, but there’s no scarcity of pain.
Related:
065 – New Clothes
066 – Transitions
068 – Guardians
045 – The Herald’s Gift
The Herald either gives the Hero a special object
or some important piece of information.
Description:
Heralds are dedicated guardians of the light side. If your story has a Traitor, don’t make it a herald. In The Matrix, for example, three people lead Neo to Morpheus, but Cypher, the traitor, is not among them.
The Herald arrives at the last step of his or her mission: To leave the Hero at the doorstep of the Mentor. This event’s significance is marked by a gift that the Herald presents to the Hero. This gift can either be an object or a piece of advice, wisdom, or information.
Examples:
Star Wars: R2D2 projects the full holographic message in front of Luke.
The Matrix: Trinity gives Neo a piece of advice regarding Morpheus: “Be honest. He knows more than you can imagine.”
Harry Potter: In Diagon Alley, Hagrid brings Harry a new loyal friend: Hedwig, the owl.
Sideways: Christine’s mother, acting as herald, gives Miles the cake samples.
Dodgeball: Peter, acting as herald, presents Kate with two expired movie passes and a coupon for “One free back-rub from Peter La Fleur.”
Related:
100 – Presentation of Gifts
046 – The Mentor
The arrival of the Mentor scares minor enemies away.
Description:
This stage shows the intimidating power the Mentor has on the dark side. The Mentor’s arrival saves the Hero somehow and creates a bond between them.
Examples:
Star Wars: Obi-Wan shows up walking down the canyon, and the Sand People run away in fear.
The Matrix: Morpheus and Neo meet in an abandoned building. The attitude of Morpheus’s crew toward their leader is one of utmost respect.
Harry Potter:InThe Chamber of Secrets, Hagrid, who is the first mentor of Harry, shows up in Knockturn Alley. The dark figures that were converging on the kid backtrack in fear and go away.
Sideways: Miles and Jack meet in the Erganians’ living room. They both act as each other’s Mentor; no dark figures are scared away here, though.
Dodgeball: Patches, a homophobic, misogynistic old man in a motorized wheelchair enters the gym, takes a deep breath, and says, “Oh, I love the smell of queef in the morning.” Everyone looks at him in disbelief. The feeling turns to fear when Patches screams at the guys, “Line up, ladies!”
Related:
047 – Quick Introductions
047 – Quick Introductions
The Mentor is introduced. There is not much time, though.
Description:
Mentor and Hero introduce to each other and move to some other. Because there is danger approaching, lack of privacy, or some time constraint, they have to move somewhere else. Only when they arrive to that new location can the Call to Adventure happen.
Before the conversation takes place, the Herald leaves the scene.
Examples:
Star Wars: Ben Kenobi introduces himself as Obi-Wan, a name he hasn’t used in a long time. They have to leave the canyon; the Sand People will return in bigger numbers. Once in the cave, C3PO asks for permission to close down for a while.
The Matrix:Morpheus introduces himself. He tells Neo, “I don’t know if you are ready to see what I want to show you, but sadly you and I have run out of time.” Trinity leaves.
Harry Potter: Harry arrives at the Grand Hall. Professor Dumbledore presides. Hagrid left the scene.
Sideways: Jack protests the cake tasting. “Don’t bother him with that,” Jack says. “We’ve got to get going.”
Dodgeball: Patches O’Houlihan introduces himself to Peter as his new coach. They are alone in the alley behind the restaurant. The dialogue lasts a few seconds.
Related:
046 – The Mentor
048 – Historic Battle
The Hero is told the story of the dark side’s rise to power.
Description:
The Mentor narrates past events to the Hero, related to the rise of the dark side and its influence in the current state of affairs.
In movies, this stage is an opportunity for interesting visual detours —The Lord of the Rings style. In novels this is backstory, which could keep the main story from moving forward. Don’t stay too long on it.
Important: The Mentor doesn’t disclose everything. If he did, the Hero wouldn’t accept the Call to Adventure (stage 052).
Examples:
Star Wars:Obi-Wan tells Luke that his father was actually a Jedi, killed by Vader. Obi-Wan is leaving out a small detail, of course: Vaderis Luke’s father.
The Matrix: This example replaces trauma with mystery. Like Jesus, Neo doesn’t have a human biological father (not one we can see, anyway).
Harry Potter: Hagrid tells Harry how his parents died: Killed by Lord Voldemort. The actual truth (Snape’s role and Lily’s sacrifice) is the ultimate reveal of the story.
Sideways: (Not applicable).
Dodgeball: (Not applicable).
Related:
009 – Mutual Creation
025 – The Hero’s Ghost
049 – The Prophecy Is Shared
A prophecy predicted the rise of evil and the coming of the One.
Description:
The prophecy is transmitted only orally, to preserve its secrecy. If it were common knowledge, neutralizing the Hero would be too easy.
Ideal places to share prophecies are dark, arcane, and solitary places, like a cavern, the basement of a castle, an old church, or an abandoned tower.
Examples:
Star Wars: The dialogue takes place in Obi-Wan’s cave. He doesn’t talk about the prophecy, though, because it refers to Anakin, not to Luke.
The Matrix: Morpheus tells Neo about the prophecy in the privacy of Neo’s cabin, deep in the Nebuchadnezzar.
Harry Potter:The prophecy was made by professor Trelawney, and the only person she shared it with was Albus Dumbledore. She said: “The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...” (This is part of the novelHarry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix, not the movie).
Sideways: Miles predicts, “I’m going to show you a good time. We’re going to drink a lot of good wine, play some golf, and send you off in style.”
Dodgeball:In Peter’s opinion, if his wreck of a car starts in the morning, that’s a good enough omen for the day (see031 – A Storm Is Coming).
Related:
010 – The Sign of the One
050 – The Prophecy Is Incomplete
050 – The Prophecy Is Incomplete
The book of destiny has a few blank pages, waiting to be written.
Description:
The futurehas to be unpredictable; otherwise the concept of freedom wouldn’t be possible. This implies that all prophecies are necessarily incomplete.
Don’t reveal it yet, but anticipate that because the prophecy is transmitted orally, something is either missing from it, or something was lost in translation, just like in the “telephone” game we used to play when we were kids, remember?
Examples:
Star Wars: Yes, Anakin/Vader brought balance to the Force. But he did it in a rather catastrophic way. Not even Yoda saw that coming.
The Matrix: Yes, Neo is The One. But the prophecy said nothing about the other, previous “Ones”—Neo is the sixth.
Harry Potter is mentioned in a prophecy that anticipates his birth and his death. The good news is that the future has yet to be written.
Sideways: Miles’s prophecy was incomplete: They will find much more than golf and wine in this trip.
Dodgeball: Despite Peter’s good feelings about the day, i
t ends up being a disaster.
Related:
049 – The Prophecy Is Shared
051 – Be Careful What You Wish For
Someone’s wish comes true (to that character’s dismay).
Description:
This stage foreshadows calamities to come.
The Hero wishes for something he believes will help achieve the Goal (stage022), but he ignores that getting the wish will create other problems.
Examples:
Star Wars: Luke says, “I wish I’d know him,” in reference to his father. Oh, Luke, you will.
The Matrix: “I believe that you wish to do the right thing, Mr. Anderson,” says Smith. Neo does wish that, which spells calamities for both of them.
Harry Potter:“Make a wish, Harry,” he tells himself. He blows the imaginary candles of a cake he drew in the dirt. One second later, the door falls to the floor and Hagrid enters the place where the Dursleys keep Harry hidden. Harry’s destiny is set in motion.
Sideways: Jack’s wants to get laid before the wedding. His wish comes true (twice), and the consequences include a broken nose and one angry husband running after him.
Dodgeball: “Come on, show of hands. Who wants to play dodgeball?” All of Peter’s friends do. All righty then: May the pain begin.
Related:
022 – The Hero’s Goal
052 – Call to Adventure
The Mentor asks the Hero to go on the Adventure.
Description:
The Call to Adventure is an encouragement to leave the Ordinary World and to fulfill one’s destiny.
The Call happens on some special day: A festivity, an anniversary, a birthday, a sunny day, or a stormy day.
The Call is made in general terms, not yet as a personal appeal.
Examples:
Star Wars: It is another sunny day in Tatooine, a planet with two suns. Obi-Wan asks Luke to go with him to take R2D2 to Alderaan.
The Matrix: The memorable Blue Pill versus Red Pill scene: “You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland. And I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”
Harry Potter: Hagrid arrives precisely the minute Harry turns eleven. Hagrid says, “Oh, we’re a bit behind schedule. Best be off,” inviting Harry to go with him.
Sideways: The special day is arriving: Jack’s wedding. Maya, a waitress, comes out from the restaurant’s kitchen carrying dishes. Jack says, “You know that chick? She is very hot.”
Dodgeball: It’s not Peter’s birthday until next month, which adds to the comedic effect, because, who cares? Also, there’s no proper Call to Adventure here; Patches just informs Peter that he’s the new coach.
Related:
053 – First Refusal of the Call
055 – The Mentor’s Rebuttal
057 – Second Refusal of the Call
062 – Answer to the Call
053 – First Refusal of the Call
The Hero can’t do it—just can’t. I swear.
Description:
The Hero’s resists leaving the Ordinary World, offering some reasonable but mundane excuse, which is connected to the Hero’s Lie. That excuse will soon be rendered irrelevant by the events that will ensue.
Examples:
Star Wars: “I can’t get involved,” Luke says. “I’ve got work to do. It’s not that I like the Empire. I hate it! But there’s nothing I can do about it right now.”
The Matrix:Switch tells Neo to do as they say or to go away. Neo says “Okay,” and he motions to leave the car.
Harry Potter: Harry’s Refusal of the Call takes a subtle form: He stops for just a second to ponder if he should follow Hagrid or not.
Sideways: Miles refuses approaching Maya. She’s very hot, “and very nice, and very married to some professor. Check out the rock,” he says in reference to her promise ring.
Dodgeball: Peter dismisses Patches, “Okay, crazy guy. I’m gonna go home now.”
Bonus Example:
In some stories with willing heroes, sometimes the Mentor is the one refusing the call. InThe Empire Strikes Back, Yoda resists training Luke. InThe Karate Kid (1984), Mr. Miyagi initially resists training Daniel.
Related:
052 – Call to Adventure
054 – Our Most Desperate Hour
055 – The Mentor’s Rebuttal
057 – Second Refusal of the Call
054 – Our Most Desperate Hour
It is now or never.
Description:
This is not just another mission. This is vital to save the world as we know it (“the world” being an entire galaxy or Jack’s last days as a bachelor).
The Mentor transmits the seriousness of the situation, including a warning about this being the last chance to start the Adventure.
Examples:
Star Wars: Leia’s hologram says, “This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
The Matrix: Morpheus tells Neo, “No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. This is your last chance.”
Harry Potter: Voldemort’s return is discussed in dialogues that, for at least another two movies of the series, don’t include Harry. But it is clear that the magic world will soon face its darker hours.
Sideways: Jack tells Miles, “This is our last chance. This is our week!”
Dodgeball: Peter says, “This place is in default?” Kate answers, “No. You’re in foreclosure. You were in default when the bank sent you delinquency notices.”
Related:
052 – Call to Adventure
053 – First Refusal of the Call
055 – The Mentor’s Rebuttal
057 – Second Refusal of the Call
055 – The Mentor’s Rebuttal
The Mentor tries to change the Hero’s mind.
Description:
The Call to Adventure is a challenge to face one’s innermost fears—a call to meet one’s destiny.
This Mentor’s rebuttal doesn’t work: The Hero persists in making excuses.
Examples:
Star Wars: Obi-Wan says, “I need your help, Luke. I’m getting too old for this sort of thing.” Luke refuses again.
The Matrix: (Not applicable).
Harry Potter: Harry’s hesitation to go with him causes Hagrid to say, “Best be off. Unless you’d rather stay, of course. Hm?”
Sideways: Jack says, “So what’s a professor’s wife doing waitressing? Obviously that’s over.” Miles dismisses him again. He just wants to have dinner, drink wine, and go back to the hotel.
Dodgeball: Patches says, “I ain’t crazy and I ain’t a guy. The name’s Patches O’Houlihan. And I’m your new coach.”
Related:
052 – Call to Adventure
053 – First Refusal of the Call
054 – Our Most Desperate Hour
057 – Second Refusal of the Call
056 – Presentation of the First Sword
The Hero receives a weapon to help in the quest.
Description:
The Hero is a warrior, and a warrior needs a weapon.
The Sword doesn’t have to be an actual sword; sometimes it’s not even a material object. Controlling the Sword means taking a quantum leap above the ordinary self. The Hero has a bumpy start but soon learns how to control the newly acquired weapon or ability.
This Sword will be replaced by a more powerful weapon later on.
Examples:
Star Wars: Luke receives his father’s lightsaber from Obi-Wan. He loves it. He learns to use it, though he gets zapped a few times in the process. Soon he is blocking the electric shots from the drone.
The Matrix: Neo gets martial arts knowledge uploaded to his brain. He loves it. He shows Morpheus what he learned, and he gets his butt kicked in the process. But in a matter of minutes, he learns the rules of the game and surpasses his teacher.
Harry Potter: Harry receives the invisibility cloak from an anonymous person (Dumbledore). He loves it. He uses it to enter the
library’s restricted section. His presence is discovered, but he manages to escape from Filch and Snape.
Sideways: Jack tells Miles about his gift as best man: Not a foldable knife, but sex. “I prefer a knife,” Miles says. He ends up enjoying the romantic night spent with Maya, though.
Dodgeball: Peter receives Patches’s stained scarf, a symbol of delegation of leadership. He eventually uses it to win the final match.
Related:
146 – Sword Upgrade
173 – Emergence of the Sword
057 – Second Refusal of the Call
“Sorry, I have to go.”
Description:
The Hero refuses the Call once again, and leaves.
Home is the classic symbol of the Ordinary World, and the Hero is clinging to it. There is something the Hero ignores, though: If this denial persists, tragedy will take over and there will be no home left to return to.
Examples:
Star Wars: Luke refuses again to go to Alderaan. He leaves Obi-Wan’s cave and heads home. But the farm is gone, as he will soon find out.
The Matrix: Neo refuses to believe what he was just told: The world as he knows it only exists as a simulation, which they call The Matrix. “Let me out!,” he screams. “Let me out. I want out!” But there is no home to return to: Everything is an illusion.
Harry Potter: (Not applicable).
Sideways: After this trip, all that’s waiting for Miles is the tedium of his ordinary, solitary life.
Dodgeball: This example is different in that the Ultimate Boon is to save the only place where they feel at home.
Related:
052 – Call to Adventure
053 – First Refusal of the Call
054 – Our Most Desperate Hour
055 – The Mentor’s Rebuttal
058 – The Mentor’s Warning
The Mentor warns the Hero against ignoring the sage’s advice.
Description:
The Mentor’s warning is intended to help the Hero avoid danger. But if the Hero wasn’t drawn to danger he or she would be living a quiet life.