The Hero’s Journey Framework

The hero’s journey is a common narrative structure that involves a hero who goes on an adventure, learns a lesson, and returns home transformed.e

Here are some steps in the hero’s journey:

  • The call: The hero receives a call to adventure. 
  • The threshold: The hero crosses the threshold into an unknown world. 
  • The journey: The hero embarks on a transformative journey. 
  • The ordeal: The hero overcomes the main obstacle or enemy. 
  • The reward: The hero gains a reward, such as a treasure or “elixir”. 
  • The return: The hero returns to the ordinary world with the reward. 

The hero’s journey is popular because it taps into universal themes of self-discovery and overcoming obstacles. Storytellers can use the hero’s journey to elicit strong emotional responses from readers or viewers. 

Mythologist Joseph Campbell popularized the hero’s journey.

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