Last week we examined the hero archetype, with particular attention to the contributions of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. We studied Campbell's hero's journey, and then I asked you to chart the hero's journey in a movie from the AFI Top 100 films. At this point you should be not only understanding what the denotation for the hero archetype and the hero's journey but you are also able to see it in action (The Matrix) in the movie you selected. My question here runs a bit deeper.
Post 1: Please summarize your understanding of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey. What are the personal implications of Campbell’s theory? What are the global implications? DO YOU SENSE THE AWE?????
Post 2: Please respond to another classmate's post.
As always, post must evidence authenticity, reflection and original thought. Please spend some time with this one (20 points)
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Joseph Campbell has set down the blueprints to the foundation of the hero's journey, plain and simple. Maybe he wasn't the first to have his footprint on the studies of hero archetypes and human experiences, but he definitely left the largest mark on it. The aspects of the archetypes are still clearly present in all stories, whether they are novels, movies, or everyday life. You have the protagonsist (either the main character in a novel/movie or us in everyday life) going on a journey. There are always a variety of adversities along the way. The protagonist (or us for that matter) will try to overcome those said adversities. There is a lesson to be learned at the end of the journey, otherwise it's for nothing. His ideas help explain what a hero does in his/her journey; it's like a layout map to everything that transpires in the adventure. Those are the ideas in Campbell's book The Hero With a Thousand Faces. Think about how many different directors or artists have been inspired by Campbell's work. If anything, Campbell's theory of a hero's journey gave the world a standard to look up to. The journey to redemption is nothing new, but never has it been explained more clearly, crisply, and percisely than by Campbell.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell, although he was not the first to create these patterns and frameworks for all stories, he was one of the first to recognize them and lay them out in an easy to understand way. His theory allows us all to relate in the way that we all go through a hero's journey and come out with either knowledge or just a story. I noticed while watching my movie for Friday's assignment that his layout for all heros' journeys can be true for any character in a story.
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ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's hero's journey is the standard by which all heroes follow, even heroes who are seperated by time and distance, all heroes have the same characteristics. These characteristics occur in every hero story ever invented. Some heroes may have a few pieces missing, but they all have the same basic pattern. Campbell's theory implies that every hero must go through these certain stages in order to be a true hero. It is amazing that every hero follows this pattern, even the heroes in Greek mythology. It is almost scary to see those heroes relate the the modern heroes in out culture.
ReplyDeleteI like Sam's idea that every person, even regular, non-super humans like us, are considered heroes because everyone goes through the same basic journey of a hero. I find that very interesting that Campbell could define that and put it into a map that lays out how everything basically runs like that.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's hero journey is simply amazing; the fact that we saw it and learned about it and now we have actually seen it in action; seeing that it truly works, no matter what the story or the time period, setting, any other characteristics. It's interesting. Campbell's theory means that we all go through the hero's journey, and that every story has those elements in one way or another. That would make us all heroes in our own stories, which is almost a bit disconcerting. I think the global implications are that there are no surprises in storytelling or any form of that; really nothing can be unexpected, because all stories follow the hero's journey guidelines. Nothing really deviates from that; it almost feels like every move that a person makes is to be expected, like people are following some sort of pattern subconciously that no one is aware of. Nothing that a person goes through is ever really new, in this sense. Every person is on the hero's journey, in some way or another, whether they know it or not. Every person has something they are aiming for or something they are yearning for subconciously or some kind of demon they are battling, or will be eventually. Its trippy stuff!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kenneth that no matter what time period or setting or any other kind of characteristics seperate two heroes, they go through the exact same journey. I agree that it is frightening that heroes in today's modern society have the same defining characteristics of a hero and go through the same hero's jounery as stories that are centuries old, during a completely different society with completely different values. However, I think there are other interpretations of the word "hero" depending on each different person; Campbell's heroes follow the hero's journey and have the defining characteristics but I think that it is possible for a person to be a hero without having all the defining qualities.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's theory states that all hero stories are the same, and follow the same plot. All hero stories are the same, in that they bear the same elements. They all begin with a hero being introduced into an ordinary world in which he or she is accustomed. The hero then feels the call to adventure,and is drawn to the actual quest. The hero always feels a sense of reluctance, and rejects the call, but is pushed onward by a mentor. Once on the quest, the hero crosses the threshold between the ordinary and extraordinary worlds, and meets both allies and enemies. The hero goes through tests, and, upon failures, needs some encouragement from allies or the mentor. After these tests, the hero must undergo an ordeal, or a final test. The hero recieves some sort of reward for completing the ordeal, and then must complete the journey back. The hero undergoes some irreversable failure, and is finally ressurrected. The hero then returns home to the ordinary world to share his gifts or lessons from the extraordinary. Campbell's theory has personal implications in that it shows that everyone I see as completely different from me lives the same "hero's story" that I do. Although the elements in the hero's story may take a differnt form, they still exist, and we still have our common points. Campbell's theory has global implications in that it states that every story, even real-life-ones, follows the hero archetype. Every individual is on their own "hero's journey" through life. Campbell's theory implies that all of us live the same lives, just in a different setting. This teaches a message of tolerance, since everyone is the same. Because we all live the same stories, we are all obligated to tolerate those living the universal tale. This theory is all-encompassing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Deni that Joseph Campbell's theory has had a lasting impact on modern media, in the form of novels and motion pictures. The Hero with a Thousand Faces has surely made an impact on our modern media, by controlling the plots of all popular movies of our day. Since the movies and TV influcence our actions subconciously, Joseph Campbell's book has had a great impact on society.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's main idea is that we are all heroes. We all have the capacity to go through a hero's journey and follow the steps that Campbell stated like a play-by-play. The ordinary world, the resurrection, the ordeal, the elixir... they are all common steps that we see in literature and movies. The hero always comes back with a lesson, something, or someone that proves their adventure was worth while. This is where the "web of gems" comes in. Every single one of us is the hero in our stories. We go through different worlds and come out with something that changes our lives. This has been going on since man existed. Campbell was just the first one to publicize it to the world. It is an amazing thing to know that it's not what sets us apart, but it's what ties us together.
ReplyDeleteI like what Alissa said. This whole Joseph Campbell revelation is a bit unnerving. It means that we're all following this road of life, whether we know it or not. I almost feel like nothing is unique. When someone does something spectacular, it is special but nothing new. Someone prior to them has done it before. It is crazy stuff to think about.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's hero journey basically states that heroe stories are all the same. The plots of stories about heroes follow the same structure, and set of rules. If anyone were to analyze every story aout heroes, they would see a pattern in the structure and plot of the story. It is the hero with a thousand faces. Accordng to Campbell the hero with a thousand faces represents every person. It represents what people want to achieve in life and how they wish to become. The global implications of Joseph Campbell's theory is that everyone in the world creates heroes as a way to make them feel safe, and also as a model for them to follow. The standards set on heroes are the standards that people want to achieve. Yes, I sense the awe
ReplyDeleteDeni is right. Joseph Campbell did have the greatest impact on the hero archetype. He analyzed and concluded the hero archetype, in The Hero With A Thousand Faces.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's idea for the heroes journey is that they all have the same general occuring events. All of the heroes have a start, problem, fear, and redemption. Not only does Joseph Cambell prove that movies go through the same general concept but also that we as human beings have a chance to go through a Heroes Journey. All human beings go through struggles and difficulties in life and learn how to avoid them. The awe of the Heroes Journey is that everyone can go through it, becuase when someone has a problem they usually learn how to get through it and learn not to make the same mistake. So in a way we all are our own hero becuase we all go through changes that effect us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joseph. The hero does have a thousand faces because when we analyze a story they all have the same plot and structure. I also like the way Joseph inferred that we all make a hero for our self as a safety net as a role model.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's journey is unequivocal, obvious, if done correctly. There is the hero in storyline who is called on a journey. At first, he/she might reject it, but continues to go through with it. In the end, the hero returns with an elixir that helps everyone. Joseph Cambell also explains that we are all heroes as well. Campbell's hero journey can be seen everywhere: books, movies, etc. The best movies/books follow his journey and its very predicatable when they use the journey.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alissa. She said that we are all on a hero's journey, which is true. All of us are our own ideal hero and we're on a journey through life. We follow a pattern without even knowing about it.
ReplyDeleteCambell's theory is, at the very least, interesting. His statement that there has only been one story, told over and over, is very bold, but surprisingly has a fair amount of evidence backing it up. From the Greeks to the Norse, Japanese to the Cherokee, every modern myth has many of the same aspects. The Virgin birth, the flood, the time of nothingness before there was life, the return of the ancient God(s) (or in some cases, a giant Earth-Tortoise). Every myth and story also share similar aspects. Almost every movie hero starts his journey doing what he/ she consider to be "normal", normal meaning anything from moisture farming for Luke Skywalker, suffering as the middle child in Suburbia U.S.A. like Elliot from E.T., fighting strange soldiers in far away lands similar to Maximus from Gladiator, or simply living what you perceive as life, just like Neo from the Matrix. Strange and seemingly unexplainable coincidences are found in almost every story ever written by man.
ReplyDeleteJoseph campbell's Hero With A Thousand Faces outlined the themplate that all stories follow, whether they are movies or literature. Through the mentor, special world, resurrection of the hero, and other various steps all heroes and stories can be broken down. Although these steps were put into play thousands of years before Campbell's writings all cultures stories follow this same pattern. This is similarto the mystical imperative because it shows how we can all relate through something so simple.
ReplyDeleteI think Cambell's idea of a hero's journey was the blueprint for an exciting story. I think this because:
ReplyDelete1) In all hero stories, the hero is there to accomplish something heroic or difficult (ex. Hercules' 12 tasks)
2)The hero always (almost) overcomes an impossible situation and therefore leads to an emotion ultimately making you feel as if you were with the character (ex. Horror movies stimulate fear and action movies stimulate suspense and thrill)
3)The story needs to be remembered, so we need something to remember it by, SO ADD EXCITMENT! (ex. Remember coming from the movie theater saying "Oh that was so cool when...")
These are my reasons for saying that Campbell's idea that all stories are the is not only true, but also a recipe for a succesful story/movie/book. If you don't believe me, how would you feel about a movie character repeating the same boring schedule everyday and it never changes till the movie is over...
I agree with Joseph saying that a hero does have a thousand faces because are heroes are actually the same!They follow that same continuous pattern in all stories and I also agree that people want to achieve what a hero does and set a standard for themselves through stories.
ReplyDeleteHowever I don't see how Campbell's idea shows that people want to be safe. It only explains that a hero will follow the same path as another. How does Napolean Dynamite make you feel safe? (However he is an anti-hero, but do you get my point?)
I disagree with what the point majority of these comments are arguing. I do not think it is just a template, rather something much more than a simple guide to writing the next hit movie. It is something much deeper. Take Aboriginal myth for example: although they were separated from the majority of the cultures of the world by the Indian Ocean, their myth shares many things in common with hundreds of thousands of others. One way this can be explained is by stating that the similarity of myths and stories is caused by humanity's universal desire for greatness and redemption. However, I think it is much deeper than just shared sub-conscious drive for distinction and significance, rather something bigger. It could be that there is an original story, one that followed all of the archetypes. This tale was so grand, it was told for generations, and as cultures divided and separated, their version of the first hero's tale fractured, developing new aspects while forgetting others. While this theory does leave plenty of unknowns, which will probably never be fully explained, it is, at the very least, interesting.
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ReplyDeleteI think that Campbell used Yung's ideas when he made his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces. I agree with both of their opinions. I think that everyone has different ideas of what a "hero" is. When I heard the saying "a terrorist is another person's hero" I never used to understand what they meant by that but after going over this unit i now understand. I thought it was ironic how my movie went right with the template and I think its odd how all movies have basically the same story line over and over.
ReplyDeleteI concur with Blake's post about how all stories all simply just "one big story", albeit some variations to it. Campbell's archetype shows the hero's journey as him/her starting out in a normal world, only to be pulled into an adventure of some sort. Blake also mentioned the evidence that is put into Campbell's theory to make it authentic. Also, Blake clearly described how "every story ever written by man" always has some kind of unusual coincidence that ties the adventure and all loose ends of it together. Mind-boggling, if I must ask myself.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I find it absolutely cliche that every hero in a story has to be a role model of some sort. Sure, it is better for the majority of the audience to learn from in a black-and-white perspective, but then again, we don't live in a black-and-white world. I think it is better to learn from his/her own experiences instead. The point is that we aren't always going to need a knight in shining armor to save us. We're ordinary people with extraordinary ideas. That is what's important. Our journey.
I agree with Alissa that all the movies basically follow the same pattern subconsciously. It is kind of dissapointing in a way because now I see no originality in movies. Not only is it dissapointing but it is also annoying because now I find myself watching movies and looking for the hero's journey. For example, Im watching Never Been Kissed right now and analyzing the movie! hahaha
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell theory States that every heroes journey has 12 events. In most of the great movies made the heroes follow campbells theory. This relates to the mystical because it shows that all movies are related in the sense that they fallow campbells theory. Campbells theory states that a hero joruneys has steps that are related to each other. His theory also states that at the end of the story the hero or viewers learn something. Campbell was the first to say the heroes journey in a way where everyone can understand. Campbells theory means to me that every person goes through journies and comes out with more knowledge after. This shows that all movies, literature, arts etc... Are related because the heroes all follow campbells theory.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kelley. I agree because we are all heroes who go through journies Often after the journey one learns something which is what Kelley says. I also agree with joseph in the fact that all heroes are the same because they all follow the same story pattern. I don't agree that people want to be like some of the heroes. Heroes could follow campbells theory but not have a happy ending. Like when a hero dies in the end.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell basically mapped out the course that everyone's life takes. Campbell is basically saying that everyone is the hero of their own story. Which is true, because we all have trials to go through before we find apotheosis (are at peace). To me, Campbell's theory is mind-blowing. To suggest that we have residual personality traits and follow the same basic pattern of our ancestors makes the human species feel like a connected body, though we are spread across the world. To think that an Australian could have the same type of 'hero's journey' as me is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Blake. While it could be used as a movie template, Joseph Campbell intended his book to show us how humanity is connected; how everyone has the same desires, how our nature has the same basic structure. We all want to be heroes, and this shows through our myths and every other story we have ever told.
ReplyDeleteSARAH HABERFELD:
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's guide to a hero's journey is his basis for showing that every story whether it be fiction or real follows a pattern. The pattern is shown throughout many movies. The hero's path is almost always the same, disregarding a few exceptions. Campbell's theory shows that in a way, everybody's story and path is similar, and we have more than we assumed in common. Even though we may choose different life paths or life styles, throughout our life we follow a similar pattern. This discovery is an excellent source to relate ourselves to the past. This helps us to connect to everyone!
SARAH HABERFELD:
ReplyDeleteAlissa's statement was very thorough and precise. I really agree with her thoughts on everyone following a similar pattern subconsciously. Well she is right, we aren't aware that we are following a pattern, one that has been followed continuously. But even though we have just learned of the pattern, I don't find that everything can be assumed to follow it. There are the exceptions. While watching a movie, you find that almost all of them follow a similar storyline, yet even though you've seen it before, there is always something new and different.
What Joseph Campbell was basically doing was bringing out the “mystical” of all these heroes. He knew that each and every one of them was alike and with this matrix, he showed the web of gems. Each of the hero had a previous life that they had attended to before the journey. Once the quest was handed to them, the all did not accept the challenge and wanted to be done with it as soon as possible. Then, they got deeper into the crossing and finally figured out the true meaning behind the quest. They figured out why they were even sent on this voyage and finished by achieving their full identity. I certainly agree with all of Cambell’s thoughts because I know that every human being is connected in some spiritual or mental way so every hero must be too. I know that society views this theory the same way I do too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Julien because I do believe that Campbell’s idea of a hero’s journey leads to an amazing story but I think there is a little bit more to it than just that. I think society believes each and every one of these myths to be so great because all the people think alike. Thus, bringing us back to the web of gems. Campbell brings out the “mystical” in everybody when he writes this blueprint and I certainly agree that every story has the parts of the hero’s journey somewhere embedded in it.
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ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's hero's journey is a general chain of events that seems universal in all literature and in peoples' lives. In literature, there is a specific chains of events which I have observed in films as off topic as Pulp Fiction. It starts with the hero being at peace in his or her own domain until there is some sort of alteration which causes the need for a decision. The decision is whether or not to embark on a journey which will be potentially life threatening or rewarding. The hero then sees some reason to deny the quest, and tries with full ability to stay in his or her own comfort zone. The hero then talks about the pros and cons of said quest, ultimately deciding that the cons outweigh the pros, yet he or she follows through with the quest anyway. After the decision is made, the hero leaves his or her comfort zone and into an unknown land full of enemies and allies which ultimately increase the reward of the quest. After taking a near fatal blow the hero then has an epiphany and realizes that the reward and experience are together worth the trouble. After more threatening situations the hero receives his or her reward and embarks on the journey home. Campbell's theory contains the personal implication that everyone, including myself, has the same basic pattern in life at one point or another which is a similarity that all people hold. The global implication is that no matter what physical or mental variations are present in a population as large as human's, there is a bond that we all share, as suggested by the web of gems. This is supported by the usage of this format of writing pre-campbell, when societies were unaware of each other's existences due to geographical isolation.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell’s theory on heroes is amazing. His pattern shows that all heroes follow the same structure no matter where the hero came from or when. All of the heroes present in today’s society are similar to the heroes in ancient Greece. Campbell revels the mystical in all of the heroes. He suggests that all of our lives are constructed in the same way, and that we are all heroes. Campbell’s theory connects everyone that ever lived.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Julian because Joseph Campbell’s theory is the basis for all stories. If there was not this structure myth and movies alike would be boring and nothing would happen, no heroes would be born. Through this blueprint a hero is created out of every story being told everywhere.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, i agree with Illiana. All people do encounter obstacles which one learns to overcome, which, in the long run, make him or her a stronger person. But Campbell only published his idea as a theorem, it requires proof which is what we are in the process of acquiring now. I also believe, in contrast to what she had suggested, that everyone goes through the hero's journey. No matter how life threatening or boring it is, everyone goes through a struggle from witch they emerge with greater knowledge and power.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell is a well respected writer for his intriguing discoveries. Connecting myths and recent stories as basically the same repetitive story has provided a new aspect to reading. Campbell hows that all stories follow the same pathway to discovery. They are presented with a complication and must find a way to solve this problem. In the end a new identity is discovered. This theory can be applied to any story as we have tested in class.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey is that he looked at all stories to follow the ancient patterns of myth and that no matter how serious or how much of a joke a story was, it could be understood in the terms of a hero myth. Campbell also discovered that all myths are basically the same stories retold in infinite variation. Even though Campbell discovered myth to be the same story told in infinite variation, he also believe that every hero's journey goes through 12 stages, or events. This can be found in many of America's top movies. Personally, this implies thats Campbell's theory can connect every hero's journey somehow. This because no matter what variation the journey is told in, somehow, the journey's connect somewhere throughout the 12 stages. I believe that the global implications of Campbell's theory state that the path everyone goes down, connects somewhere along the road, somehow through the 12 events. I in fact do sense the awe in Campbell's theory. The deeper and deeper I look into it, the more it makes sense.
ReplyDeletei agree with Miranda because Campbell's theory is amazing. proving that we all can be heroes because of our journey is inspirational. We connect too 1000 years ago and 200 years ago and even all the way back to ancient Greeks. This theory was brave and clearly paid off
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Miranda. We both agree that Campbell's theory is just amazing. We also agree on the every hero's journey connects somewhere down the path. I like how Miranda said Campbell revels the mystical in all of the heroes. The mystical can also be known as the web of gems in which this case, would be the hero's journey.
ReplyDeleteAlexander Hoover: What I understand from Joseph Campbell's, "hero's journey" is that everyone is one said journey, and that there are distinct characteristics of the journey. For example, the call to adventure is basically life. The "journey" has three sections; departure, initiation and return. Another understanding I have of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey is that all stories are the same, more specifically a mono- myth. Every story, and every life is undergoing the process of becoming or being a part of the mono-myth.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell is definitely a genius in my mind. I am actually extremely fascinated by the way the web of gems works. Every type of hero myth consists of the same story elements. It is truly amazing to see that the myths coming from Asia are extremely similar to the myths coming from South America. The hero starts off living life in an ordinary world. He/she is not famous or well-known at all. Then something happens to the hero which is known as the call to adventure. Usually there is a refusal to the call, but then the mentor steps in, to guide the hero through the adventure. Then, the hero faces tests and realizes who his/her enemies and allies are. Then the hero may hit setbacks which may cause him/her to rekindle their morale. Then they face the biggest life or death challenge and after they finally receive their reward. Then they have to get back to living life in the "ordinary" world and apply all the knowledge that was gained. Also, they return from the journey with the "elixir". The personal implications of Campbell's theory is that even though we are all different we still find a sort of comfort in these hero myths. It is a global implication because we all are connected by the web of gems in the way that we recognize ourselves in the story in one way or another.The same conditions that the heroes go through are also seen all around the world. I definitely sense the awe. It is amazing what Joseph Campbell discovered.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell shows in his literature that all stories, whether they be fictional or non fictional, are all basicallly the same. All stories and movies have the same basic concept and are basically the same story played over and over again with character and plot changes. Joseph Campbell goes step by step through the journey of a hero and analyzes it with much detail. What we all can learn from Joseph Campbell that the hero in a story or movie will always try to solve a conflict that he or she is set out to accomplish. In many cases, the character overcomes many tasks and hardships to overcome whis dilemna, which is why many stories are alike in so many ways; whether the similarities are from the imperatives or the plot. Campbells ideas can all connect to these movies on the AFI top one hundred movies because he shows that all stories have the same basic concept and have similar, if not the same, plots and morals. Campbell's theories show that the hero in a story always is set with with challenges and difficulties that only that person will be able to find out if he or she discovers who that person truely is. Joseph Campbell also shows that the universe is just one big place of discovery to find who one truley is, and only through risk and hardship may that person find who he or she is truely meant to be.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Codi's statement. It is extremely fascinating how we are all connected with each other and our ancestors were all connected with the web of gems too. She is right when she says we all take a certain journey in which in the end we all reach apotheosis. It may take a while, but being the heroes that we are, we will eventually reach that point. The human race is definitely just one giant connected body. Joseph Campbell is just amazing. All of this is definitely trippy.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell’s hero's journey is a map to all the literature and movies in the world. It shows how every single piece of literature or movie ever created is essentially the exact same thing with variations. They all have the same sequence of plot, with variations in the details of the piece of literature or movie. The personal implications of his theory is that everyone goes through the same 12 steps through life no matter who they are, one person might do it on a much smaller scale than another person but they still go through the 12 steps. The global implication is that everyone is a hero, a hero is classified as someone who goes through those 12 steps and if everyone goes through those 12 steps we are all heroes. I do sense the awe or web of gems, everyone who was, is, or will be on this planet is the same. We all go through the same steps of life so we are all connected.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Codi when she says that Campbell’s theory “…basically mapped out the course that everyone’s life takes.” We both think that everyone goes through the same 12 steps during their lives.
ReplyDeleteI agree with my homie Anisha because Joseph Campbell is a genius in discovering that all hero myths consist of the same story elements. Joseph Campbell's ideas are the backbone to all stories and have similar meanings to them, just as many of the movie on the AFI list. Campbell's theory is a great discovery in learning more about a hero's journey and discovering how that hero can acheive redemtion and satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding of Cambell is that he showed how heroes are all similar. No matter where a hero came from or what time period the hero is in, there are common traits in which most heroes have. Cambell also showed that the hero's journey can be applied to almost every myth and stories. We even showed this fact in class by watching the movies and in every movie was an example of Cambell's hero's journey. Cambell inspires me to think more about the movies I watch and stories I read in order to find the hero within. I can definately sense the awe because after learning about Cambell and his ideas it is difficult for me to watch a movie or think about a movie without thinking of the hero's journey.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Daniel because Joseph Cambell basically did map out the story behind literature by showing there was a basic idea or concept in every story, but told differently in each story. Even through variation, the idea does not change... the hero is there.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's description of the hero's journey is truly amazing. His ideas really bring together every story dealing with any type of hero and relating their journeys. He states that all hero's stories are the same and follow the same basic pattern, consisting of steps such as the call to duty, crossing the first threshold, and the return with the elixir, which is basically returning home with the ultimate prize. Campbell suggests that all humans fallow the basic path throughout their life, called the hero's journey. His theory is stating that I will go through the same basic journey that someone living on the other side of the world world. That really allows me to sense the awe in Joseph Campbell's ideas. Campbell's ideas not only show themselves in everyday life, they are also present in the classic movies that everyone has seen. The hero's journey, according to Joseph Campbell, seem to present themselves everywhere from modern day life, to movies, to ancient Greek mythology.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it directly conflicts with what I originally said, I believe blake is correct. The twelve steps of a hero's journey are more than a guide to next summers big blockbuster, they are a set standard by which all cultures are linked. Before these steps were published the mythology of numerous peoples followed the same basic format even if they were geographically isolated. With this proving to be true these steps outlined in The Hero With A Thousand Faces can guide anyone's journey even our own.
ReplyDeletejoseph campbell's hero's journey basically states that every great story ever told has the same 12 principals of the hero and his journey. these 12 steps show exactly how the hero will expierence his journey and how he will affect his surroundings. these steps prove to be true in all great hero stories. i personally believe in campbell's theories because they all seem to work in a mystical way. i also believe in them because of the work we did in class. all the movies we did all followed the 12 steps which connects them all. some of the global applications include many of the worlds mythology and stories passed down.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading all of the post I agree with Alissa's post. I liked it when she talked about how Joseph Campbell's ideas are shown globally and how their are no true surprises in story telling. This goes to explain why sometime it seems unbelievably easy to predict the story line of a movie. I believe that when people try to stray from Joseph Campbell's hero's journey the story tends to seem confusing and hard to follow especially to me. I also agree when she says that people are subconsciously fallowing a path, and that nothing people experience is really new because it has all been done before.
ReplyDeletePost 1: Please summarize your understanding of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey. What are the personal implications of Campbell’s theory? What are the global implications? DO YOU SENSE THE AWE?????
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's hero's journey baffles me, and I can honestly say that the whole concept of it sends chills down my spine. The main points of the mythographers theory is that all myths tell the same story- it is a "monomyth". Campbell follows the ideas of his mentor, psychologist Carl Jung, who believes that human archetypes are a residue of what our ancestors were and saw. Human archetypes are a recurring pattern that have evolved through many generations and are now within our unconscious. Campbell concludes from his ideas that there is a certain outline that every hero's journey follows. Campbell's personal implication to his theory is that the hero lies within we humans. His outline allows for anyone to relate their life to the pattern, and any individual can be given the chance to be recognized as a hero. This helps people find who they truly are, which archetype they fit with. Campbell's global implication is that we are connected by these archetypes, these heroes. This goes back to the "web of gems" of the mystical imperative. I truly do sense the awe of Campbell's ideas, because it gives me the feeling that we are all united, and although we may be different colors and come from different places, we can all relate to the hero archetypes and the journeys.
joseph campbell's hero's journey basically states that every great story ever told has the same 12 principals of the hero and his journey. these 12 steps show exactly how the hero will expierence his journey and how he will affect his surroundings. these steps prove to be true in all great hero stories. i personally believe in campbell's theories because they all seem to work in a mystical way. i also believe in them because of the work we did in class. all the movies we did all followed the 12 steps which connects them all. some of the global applications include many of the worlds mythology and stories passed down. (sorry about the one under my brother's name cuz he was signed in when i posted my response lol)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anisha's post- she and I both have the same views on Campbell's ideas. He is a true genius, and obviously went through deep thought in processing his outline of the hero's journey. I also agree with Anisha's point that we seem to find comfort in the hero myths because we can relate ourselves to the story. This feeling of a relation between a hero and ourselves may have triggered Campbell's theory that the hero lies within us.
ReplyDeletei agree with casey when she says that the 12 steps are used in everyday life. like if you need to do something and you are scared, you just expierenced the refusal to call and many other examples. i also agree with daniel when he says that it is like a web that connects everyday life and stories alike
ReplyDeleteCampbell's hero journey is like "the oracle" of all heros, past or present. Every hero tends to have some sort of inspiring quality about them, and basically struggle thier way out of sticky situations. Not every hero meet's every step in Campbell's Hero's journey, but however they need only to meet a few to be concidered a hero. I have always known this about heros and thought it was common sense, but Campbell has a good way of writing it out so all can see the steps clearly in a heros life. The pattern the hero's fallow all include a big change to thier "normal" life style, and in thier stories, they truely get in touch with thier identity, wether it was intended or not. There is definitally some AWE-sensing because our personal hero's, the people we can each personally relate to, most likely have fallowed some of Campbell's Hero's journey patterns. Spooky knowing that my hero definitally has.
ReplyDeleteDanielle:
ReplyDeleteI agree that it seems like the same story is being retold again and again. It baffels me that we have been retelling the same stories that are presented in myth so long ago. However, at the same time it frustrates me. Darn stupid humans, cant we come up with anything new!?! If evelution is real, I don't beileve it shows in our story writing abilities. But it does not mean I don't love all the interesting and creative ways "the story" has been retold and retold again! :D
Joseph Campbell's hero's journey is the twelve phases of a hero's adventure in a story. It shows the progress the hero has accomplished. I believe that the reason Campbell's theory is used in almost all movies is because it is what the ideal story should sound like. I do not see it as a rule or a template, but more as a predictive idea to a story that makes sense and is understandable to the rest of the world. With every story we tell we travel back to the main idea of the hero's journey because it is familiar subconsciously from prehistoric times. These tweleve phases have been a pattern throughout history. They have made their way into our dreams, surroundings, and the basis of our life through the human psyche. It astounds me that we are all more similar than we tend to let on. We all think on an related level and in a uniform way. It is the way we react and display these thoughts and experiences that makes up some of the difference among us as individuals.
ReplyDeleteI think that Cambell's theory about the Hero's Journey says that in every story there is a hero and they all follow a very similar routine of events and trials that heros go through. I think also kind of represents that everyone can be a hero because they have to go through their own unique (yet similar) journeys to ultimately find redemption in life. Sometimes the redemption the hero experiences is finding their identity and knowing who they are in the world, or they are taught lessons to become a better person. For example, in Toy Story, Woody is taught the value of friendship and teamwork and is able to redeem himself by changing for the better. Throughout his journey, just like all other heros, he went through the 12 steps that Cambell writes about.
ReplyDeleteMadeline
I agree with Danielle. Joseph Campbell's hero's journey does show us how the hero is in us all. We are all the hero's of our own story. Also how these archetypal hero's connect us all. Danielle and I both had a similar view on the hero's journey. That it lies in our subconscious and shines through in todays stories and adventures.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Campbell's hero's journey just proved to me even more that we are all connected through the web of gems. He noticed that every well written story no matter what form or genre, uses those 12 steps throughout the storyline. The hero of the story goes through those steps, no matter what they entail, in every single story. He also went on to say that everyone is a hero in their own way. He used the famous Carl Jung's ideas about aretypes as a basis of what this journey does for us. He said that we are all connected through our ancestors. We are a direct reflection of who they were, what they did, their mind set about life, everything. Wether we like it or not, this amazing man, one of my newfound mentors in life, told us how it is. We are not as individual and diffrent as we seem from eachother. Walking down the halls at school and you see hundreds of people with diffrent personalities and circumstances, but this brilliant man just proved to us all that we all are hero's in our own way and we all go through the same journey in life no matter how diffrent we all seem.
ReplyDeleteI agree deeply with what Danielle said. She said it better than I did. In fact, she turned a blog assignment into a beautifully written piece of work. I agree that his ideas help us find which archetype we truly are. He says that we are all heroes in our own way. I definitely agree with what she said about feeling united with everyone because of Campbell's theories. I feel that after studying his propositions about the human race, we are all one. We as human beings are made to go through that heroes journey in one way or another.
ReplyDeleteBasically Campbell found that all heroes are the same. They present their ordinary world (the concious mind) and take it through a journey through tests and trials (our fears and setbacks). He has found that people aren't original. They aren't new and exciting but those time old things keep us connected and concerned with each other. I know that people have this connection with others through this heroes journey but I didn't grasp its implications concerning our concious and unconcious selves. So I guess the awe is there.
ReplyDelete-Sarah Manning
Hallie I like how you've stated that people aren't really individualistic. Though I think this proves America's ideals pointless.
ReplyDelete-sarah manning
Hey Julien! Ever see Groundhog's Day? It is the hero repeating the same thing over and over again, which is exactly his ordeal. He changes. He approaches the mundane with a renewed sense of gratitude and appreciation because it takes repetition for him to cross the threshold. In the end, he returns with the elixr and the next day at last occurs. Still Campbell, and still the hero's journey.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Allissa about that fact that we are all heros in some way. She also said that these stories are always coming up again and again (motifs) and that no matter the time, place, or people involved, the same basic stories are always being retold. This also ties in with how she said that no story or journey a character makes can be completely unexpected because we have seen it before in some other form and in some other medium. I also agree that we all yearn for something subconsciously and that we all have a goal, whether we are aware of it or not. We all have our own heros' journeys.
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