How to Analyze the Hero's Journey

The Hero's Journey is a framework developed by Joseph Campbell that describes the common pattern of myths, stories, and legends across different cultures and time periods. The hero's journey typically consists of a protagonist who embarks on a quest or adventure, faces various challenges, and ultimately emerges transformed and enlightened.

Analyzing the hero's journey can be a useful tool for understanding and interpreting stories, films, and other works of fiction. Here are some steps you can follow to analyze the hero's journey:

1. Identify the protagonist: Who is the main character in the story? What are their goals, desires, and motivations?

2. Identify the call to adventure: What event or circumstance initiates the protagonist's journey? What is the challenge or opportunity that they must face?

3. Identify the refusal of the call: Does the protagonist initially reject or resist the call to adventure? What reasons do they give for their reluctance?

4. Identify the mentor: Who helps the protagonist on their journey? What advice or guidance do they provide?

5. Identify the tests and challenges: What obstacles does the protagonist encounter on their journey? How do these tests contribute to their growth and development?

6. Identify the abyss: What is the lowest point or greatest challenge that the protagonist faces? How do they overcome this obstacle?

7. Identify the transformation: How does the protagonist change or evolve throughout the journey? What lessons do they learn?

8. Identify the return: How does the protagonist return to their ordinary world? What have they gained or lost as a result of their journey?

9. Identify the resolution: How is the story resolved? Does the protagonist achieve their goal or find a new sense of purpose?

By following these steps, you can analyze the hero's journey and gain a deeper understanding of the themes and messages of a particular story. Keep in mind that not all stories will follow the hero's journey framework exactly, and some may deviate from it in significant ways. Nonetheless, the hero's journey can provide a useful framework for interpreting and analyzing stories in a meaningful way.