Hero's Journey Flashcard Set

Stages of the Hero's Journey

Ordinary World

• Hero’s normal life

• Hero often feels uncomfortable in some way or seems out of place before the adventure begins.

Call to Adventure

• Something disrupts the hero’s life

• Hero is forced to face a decision

Refusing the Call

• Hero initially refuses the call (sometimes due to fear)

• Bad things may start to happen when they refuse

Crossing the Threshold

• When the hero finally accepts the call

• Sometimes a mentor will convince the hero to do this

Tests, allies, and enemies

• Hero faces tests and obstacles, which make them stronger

• Hero typically encounters helpers and enemies who aid or hinder their journey.

Ordeal

• Typically midway through the story, hero faces the hardest test yet

• This sometimes includes a brush with death and a moment of crisis that forces them to confront their greatest fears or obstacles.

Supreme Ordeal

• Climax of the story

• Intense, exciting, important

• Moment when hero accomplishes the goal 

Reward & Journey Home

• Hero collects some type of reward

• Hero returns home and has changed/ grown as a result of the journey