Introduction
Campbell states that there are twelve stages of the heroes journey they are;
The ordinary world - something occurs in the heroes life that causes stress. The approach - the hero and allies prepare for the challenge. The call to adventure - something occurs within the heart of the hero that starts them on their journey to leadership. The ordeal - the hero confronts, death, fears, anxieties, where something is learned (Campbell).
Refusal of the call - the hero now aware of his / her call, feels anxiety about it, unprepared, unworthy etc. The reward - the hero fights against the ordeal and takes charge. Meeting with the mentor - the hero meets someone who mentors them towards greatness. The road back - the mission is almost complete this is where the enemies are at their strongest and the hero must rise up to vanquish them (ibid).
Crossing the threshold - the hero leaves their ordinary world behind and begins their adventure. They accept the challenges that lie before them; though they may feel unprepared they forge on. The resurrection - the hero is tested one more time in a more severe and holistic way, the forces that started the conflict are brought into balance and resolved (ibid).
Tests, allies, and enemies - the heroes abilities are tested and learn who is an ally and who is an enemy. Return with the elixir - the hero returns home triumphant, their journey from ordinary citizen to hero is complete. They continue on their journey, overcoming evil, and will never be the same again (ibid).
Each of these stages defines the hero, as he / she are called out of necessity. Each stage identifies with the audience on some level, and plays into the human desire of overcoming challenges, rising above challenges, and ultimately achieving success. It is the struggle, conflict, and the will power of the hero that turns them from ordinary citizen, into superhero (ibid).
This essay will now describe and explain how the heroes journey appears in several film sources. It will use the guidelines above from Campbell to analyze each element of the journey. It will then summarize and discuss the similarities in each narrative, ending with a conclusion about the heroes journey. This essay will examine and analyze “The Heroes Journey”, as defined by, Joseph Campbell in his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
Thesis
The narrative pattern of the heroes journey as described by Joseph Campbell highlights the human condition which is essentially to the storytelling process.
Crash (Haggis 2004).
Crash is a 2004 film that interlinks several stories revolving around class, gender, and race. It is set in Los Angeles in the aftermath of 911. The movie depicts several main characters that live seemingly separate lives, but experience the same level of conflict. This conflict interlinks them together, and contributes to their discomfort, before they are forced to take action.
The ordinary world in this movie has been turned upside down following the attacks in New York and Washington on 911. These events place fear into the hearts of the characters. It also serves as a wakeup call, and they start viewing society in a different way. Instead of feeling, safe, and in unity with their community, they feel disjointed, and expelled from the wider society around them. The stress within the main characters rises, as events occur in their lives that seem to play into their pre-connived boas and judgments. Event like robbery and racism seem to solidify their reasons for distrust in society, and adds to their stress. They know that action must be taken, but are unsure of how to go about it. This results in mistakes being made as they cross the threshold as depicted by Campbell. They are severely tested to breaking point. This is when they realize that the tool for change lies within them. They approach the events in their lives in a different way, and start to feel a sense of relief from what has been stressing them out. They meet others like them who contribute to their journeys.
After fighting their worst enemy which happens to be themselves, they come to an understanding that was not seen before. We are all connected and our perceptions, bias, and judgments are often incorrect. They change their ways, and forge new lives with the lessons learned. Thus, their journey’s from ordinary citizens to heroes are complete (Haggis 2004).
Cloud Atlas (Tykwer 2012).
Cloud atlas is similar to the movie crash in the way that it depicts several main characters, or ‘heroes’. There is no clear singular hero, as the story shows how the lives of many are interlinked together - spanning across time and space. Each of the main characters experiences some kind of conflict in their ordinary worlds. They each feel a stir inside of them, which transcends their natural surroundings. The movie focuses on the notion of reincarnation, but also speaks of a greater theme that is love, commitment, and how our choices not only define us, but also shape the world around us. The ordinary worlds of the characters are turned upside down by internal conflict they cannot explain. This puts them on a path to define what it is they feel, and thus, they discover how they are interlinked with those of the past. They feel they must not make the same mistakes of the past, which their past selves had done over and over. The refusal of the call occurs when the stress of the unknown mounts, and they are unsure of how to get where they want to be in life. It is fear and unbelief that starts to set in, and they attempt to run away from the call.
The story shows how they must rise up, and change their choices in order to become the heroes they know they are inside. Their enemies are great, but the heroes learn that they need each other to complete their mission. So their allies also become heroes in the story. They are tested through time and space, because their souls must learn how to love, believe, and live without fear so the human race can survive.
The story depicts ordinary lives being tested until death, from that springs new life (reincarnation), and lessons learned from the past help the heroes overcome the enemies of the future. The re-birth element of the narrative gives way to learning the meaning of hope, courage, and love. These emotional elements are their superpowers that enable them to complete their heroes journeys (Tykwer 2012).
Fast and Furious 7 (Wan 2015).
Fast and Furious 7 is the seventh instillation in the Fast and Furious movie franchise. The movie depicts two main characters played by Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. Vin Diesel’s character, Dominic is the leader of a group of friends who find themselves in extraordinary situations. Paul Walker’s character Brian who is a former cop, serves as a secondary leader, for the group. Together, Dominic, Brian, and their allies face a villain who is bent on wiping them all out in the name of revenge. The villain, Ian Shaw, wants revenge for the murder of his brother, who also played a villain in an earlier installment of the series.
The conflict emerges when Dominic’s home is bombed by Ian, and nearly kills Brian, and Brian’s wife, and child. This acts of terror, sets the duo on a path of justice, enlisting the help of their allies to help overcome evil. Along the way their weakness and their fears come to the forefront which shows how vulnerable they feel inside.
Alone, they are unable to vanquish the villain. Dominic tries to complete this mission by himself, and almost gets himself killed. This is where an unexpected ally, or ‘mentor’ called, Mr. Nobody, steps in who gives him the tools, and the authority to complete the mission.
It is Mr. Nobody who gathers the heroes team together and places them on a path to greatness. An earlier mentor is depicted in the movie, Luke Hobbs but he is unable to help the duo as he had in the past. Along the journey of preparation, they are constantly faced with challenges that arise from their villain Ian Shaw. At each stage, they are not fully prepared to battle him, and narrowly escape with their lives. Although, it seems this ruthless villain has the upper hand, they learn from their mistakes, and learn his patterns in order to carry out their mission.
As the team of heroes gets ready to battle the villain, the main hero Dominic decides to go at it alone to protect the rest of the group. Brian, the secondary leader senses what Dominic is up to, and steps up to the plate. Together, with their new mentor Mr. Nobody, they enter the battle arena, where they walk right into a trap.
Despite the odds being considerably against them, together, they are able to escape with their lives. The final battle emerges soon after, but this time the entire team is needed. Dominic realizes that each member has their own special abilities that he alone cannot accomplish. He realizes that together they are stronger, and can vanquish the villain. Mr. Nobody is no longer able to help them. However, their earlier mentor, Luke Hobbs rises to step into his shoes. In the end the battle is fierce, and it looks like the heroes time has come to an end. But at the very last part of the final battle Dominic finds courage, and strength within himself to make one final attack against Ian. It looks as if though he fails, and falls to his death, while another ally steps in a finishes the job.
This is where the main hero Dominic experiences a re-birth. He seemingly comes back from the dead, to be re-united with his team of heroes once again. The ending depicts the group united as one family, ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. Dominic’s journey from solitary hero, to the leader of a group of heroes is complete. The stress of protecting them is off his shoulders, as he knows each of them have the ability to protect themselves and each other (Wan 2015).
Star Wars the Force Awakens (Abrams 2015).
Star Wars the Force Awakens is similar to Fast and Furious, because it is one in a series of movies relating to the same theme. However, unlike earlier movies in the franchise, the regular hero, Luke Skywalker is missing. This allows for two new heroes to come to the forefront. The movie shows the journey of the first hero named Finn. He starts off as a Storm Trooper who works for the enemy Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren is one of the leaders of the Dark Side. As a Storm Trooper, Finn is programmed and trained to follow orders.
However, during a raid, Finn has an awakening of sorts that starts with the death of his fellow Storm Trooper. After experiencing this horrific event, something stirs within the unlikely hero that starts him on his heroes journey. He starts to realize that murder is wrong and that what he is being asked to do is destructive and goes against his inner nature.
He is unsure of what to do with this new found knowledge, and it scares him. He meets someone who has been captured by the Dark Side and after considering the possibilities he approaches the man who is trying to escape, and offers to help him. Although he is scared, he forges past his fears into the unknown. As they escape he learns that the man he helped is part of the resistance, and needs to go back to the planet he was captured from to find his droid who is carrying vital information. The hero Finn, refuses, as he is afraid they will be captured and executed. Despite his concerns, and attempts to run, he returns back to the planet crash-landing on the planet, and finds himself alone once again.
This is where we are introduced to the second unlikely hero, Rey. Rey is a female who is stranded on the planet Finn crashed onto. He meets her when she is stacked by an alien who is after a droid she found. Finn feels heroic and rushes to help only to stop once he realizes she is a hero like him. She takes care of her attacker, and then turns to attack him thinking he killed the droid’s owner who happens to be the man he helped escape. After he explains his position to her they partner up as an unlikely duo who then meets Han Solo and Chewbacca who serve as mentors for the pair.
They meet allies along the way who provide them with the inspiration, tools, and knowledge that help them on their quest. Rey and Finn are called by necessity to battle the Dark Side, but refuse as their fears get in the way.
Their refusal of the call ends when they witness pure evil, and know inside they have what it takes to try and vanquish it. They partner up with the resistance who give them the power, authority, and tools to create a battle plan. This is the approach as defined by Campbell in their heroes journey. They band together and battle the dark side, which seems to anger the enemy more, and create more stress. They gather their tools, re-learn, and go back into battle once again. They realize that together they are strong, and apart they are also strong. They are equal heroes. They vanquish evil and go their separate ways, as their heroes journey continue on separate paths, they know they will always be interconnected with one another (Abrams 2015).
Batman: The Dark Night (Finger 2008).
The Dark Night is another movie that is part of a franchise. It depicts a singular hero, Batman who was called at an early age after witnessing the death of his parents. In this version, Batman is in conflict with himself. He feels like an outcast in society, but he knows that he can do what law enforcement has failed to do – stop the Joker. Early on he feels powerless, and feels like giving up on society as it has become too reckless, and unappreciative of his help.
However, he can’t turn a blind eye to the evil that plagues the city he loves. Although he tries refusing the call, he steps up to the plate when the fight comes to the ones he loves the most. His mentor, Alfred, who is also his butler, encourages him with knowledge and advice to heed the call and vanquish the evil Joker.
Alfred also equips Batman with the physical tools he needs in order to complete his mission. Rising to the challenge, Batman is severely tested when it looks as if though his enemy is stronger than he. After changing his tactics, and using the support of his allies.
Batman is able to complete the mission which forever changes him. This trial develops his character and his hero nature. It helps him feel like an integral part of society, though he understands how different he is to regular people (Finger et al 2008).
Summary
In each of these movies, the hero always experiences a conflict. This is in line with Campbell’s definition of the heroes journey. Each hero, regardless of their powers, is called out of necessity to protect the ones they love, and out of a sense of justice (Dyson 10). Each hero experiences fear, which plays into the definition depicted by Campbell titled; ‘the refusal of the call’ (Campbell 8). Although the conflict that helps the hero start upon their journey seems to be outside of them, during their journey’s they often discover the conflict that is the greatest threat to their mission is within them. The threat within them is often paralyzing fear, self-doubt, and unbelief. These internal enemies, cripple the hero early on, and prevent them from reaching their full potential (Dyson 10).
This is when the writer introduces a mentor. Every hero discussed above, has a mentor – sometimes several. The mentor is someone who is older, wiser, and has the tools the hero needs to complete their challenge. The mentor is not overcome by awe of the hero; instead, they serve as a grounding tool for the hero. They bring the hero back to reality when their fears and doubts overwhelm them. They support them through their trials, and encourage them to conquer their biggest enemy – fear. It is when the enemy within is conquered the hero is no longer limited, and rises to the occasion. He / she forges towards their goal with renewed strength and courage.
This is often when they are tested; again they are bought down to earth and often face death. This conflict form their enemy serves as a humbling moment for the hero, and solidifies the call upon their lives. Using the tragedy as a motivational tool, the hero forges on, learns their enemy’s weaknesses, attracts allies and prepares for the final battle with a new approach to the conflict. They battle their enemy once again, but often are unsuccessful. It is at this stage the hero realizes that although they are strong, and very capable, they cannot fight the battle alone (Dyson 10). They need those around them in order to complete the mission.
They come to an understanding about their own mortality, and using the tools, knowledge, and their friends they conquer evil. The heroes journey changes them forever. They can no longer remain as they once were, and they are growing through each trial, and each encounter with evil. Along the way, even in stories that are part of franchises, we see the hero learning something new about him, or herself, another weakness, another chink in the armor that they must patch up to face a new enemy, and continue as heroes (Dyson 10).
Conclusion
Overall, this narrative pattern highlights the human condition. We all struggle within ourselves to achieve what it is we want in life. We often start out well-meaning and in our nativity, think we can face the challenges alone. It is then we discover that although we are capable of overcoming our obstacles we need others around us to help us complete our mission. Our natural human instincts create a need within us to search for a mentor, who will help guide, us to where we want to be in life. Along the way we often gather allies who are on similar paths, or whose paths cross with ours when we discover our destinies.
These people often serve as sources of inspiration and provide the tools we need to get the job done. Campbell’s heroes journey not only describes the nature of storytelling, but it allows us to understand the nature of our own condition. Once the enemy within has been conquered we are free to forge ahead with our plans. Greatness is born out of conflict internal and external and love that comes from those around us equips us to become who we were always meant to be - heroes.
Works Cited
Batman: The Dark Night. Hollywood: Bill Finger, Paul Dini, Bob Kane, Bruce Timm, 2008. Film.
Campbell, Joseph, Phil Cousineau, and Stuart L Brown. The Heroes Journey. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990. Print.
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with A Thousand Faces. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1972. Print.
Cloud Atlas. Hollywood: Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, 2012. film.
Crash. Hollywood: Paul Haggis, 2004. film.
Dyson, Anne Haas. Writing Superheroes. New York: Teachers College Press, 1997. Print.
Fast and Furious 7. Hollywood: James Wan, 2015. film.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Hollywood: J.J. Abrams, 2015. film.
