The Hero's Journey Analysis

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This first chapter from The Hero with a Thousand Faces consists of five sections. These sections are: “The Call to Adventure”, “Refusal of the Call”, “Supernatural Aid”, “The Crossing of the First Threshold”, and “ The Belly of the Whale”. Firstly, “The Call to Adventure” is the first stage of the hero’s journey in many stories and often signifies a change. After this change, the Hero meets the Herald. The Herald is the character that explains the journey. Additionally, the setting is introduced as well as where the Hero will soon explore (Pg. 41-48). Secondly, “Refusal of the Call” the Hero will refuse whatever the adventure, or task is. This often leads to the Hero being trapped, either physically, or mentally. After being trapped,…show more content…
This is when the Hero meets the Guardian. Most of the time the Guardian is dangerous and sent to test the Hero and see if he/she will keep going until they finish the quest. To do this the Hero has to defeat the Guardian in order to keep going (pg. 64-73). Lastly, is “The Belly of the Whale” where the Hero is swallowed, either physically or mentally. The Hero has to then fight their way out and gain courage back. This leads to the Hero picking themselves up and moving forwards (pg. 74-80) I found most of this chapter very interesting. This is where the mono-myth theory starts to be explained. I have started to picture many stories with these sections in them; however, there are a few things I have had trouble with. As I read this chapter I had a hard time connecting “Refusal of the Call” to any Hero story that I know of. Also, I believe that a Hero does not always receive supernatural aid. Sometimes a hero does not receive help at all and sometimes it is just from a normal person, or object. My two questions are: Can the “Refusal of the Call” be someone not letting the Hero leave, or does it have to be the Hero refusing to

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