HJ/VP/Archetype

Womxn's Literature - Laurence *read podcast for media examples of Virgin's Promise

How many steps in the Heroine’s Journey?

How many steps in the Heroine’s Journey?

10

Who created the Heroine’s Journey?

Maureen Murdock

Who popularized the Hero’s Journey?

Joseph Campbell & Christopher Vogler

Separation from the feminine

Leaves nurturing shelter of archetypal mother to search for self and success

Identification with the masculine

Emulates male behavior by abandoning domestic space, suppressing emotional displays, and adapting male traits

Road of trials

Confronts challenges and obstacles to her goals while proving herself to those who think she’s not worthy to succeed by male standards

Illusory boon of success

Overcomes trials and attains a measure of success, title, position, or wealth but has a sense of imposter syndrome

Awakening to spiritual emptiness

Despite success, she feels empty and senses that there must be more to life

Initiation and descent to goddess

Withdraws from friends and family and no longer has motivation to struggle for her success

Yearning to reconnect with feminine

Rejects pursuit of outward success and ends relationships with those compromising her growth while beginning to purify herself

Healing mother/daughter split

Reconnects with roots, finds strength in past, and reclaims feminine traits she once saw as weak

Healing wounded masculine

With a reoriented concept of femininity, she must shed toxic perceptions of masculinity and cast aside unrealistic concepts of masculinity

Integration of masculine and femininity

Integrates male and female aspects and become whole, capable and remembers her true nature

How many steps in the Virgin’s Promise?

13

Who created the Virgin’s Promise?

Kim Hudson

Dependent world

Tied to the normal world in order to survive and dependent on others to get by; often a social structure in place

Price of conformity

Suppresses inner gift/desire to maintain status quo and is unable to break her chains or spread her wings

Opportunity to shine

Given a chance to express herself without risk to world or discovers a talent or act in a way that helps her

Dresses the part

Willingly steps into the role and becomes “beautiful” physically or metaphorically

Secret World

Has a foot in the world of her dreams, but remains unwilling/unable to leave old life behind because people are dependent on her/physical danger/fear of exclusion

No longer fits her world

Double life cannot continue; she is at risk of being caught or she is pushed to choose

Caught shining

Exposed in one world, possibly by aiding someone else

Gives up what keeps her stuck

Faces fears and breaks hold other have on her

Kingdom in chaos

Has upset status quo; disruption follows

Wanders in the wilderness

Faces moment of doubt, despite new confidence, things don’t go as planned and her belief is tested and may tempt her to give up new strength

Chooses her light

Expresses gift in imperfect world, accepts flaws and strengths, and gains new insight to become independent

Reordering/rescue

Uses transformation to help world readjust around her

Kingdom is brighter

Integrates both worlds; world has become a better place

The Hero

Conquers obstacles and saves the day; typically embarks on some quest, either physical or spiritual. The quality that makes a character truly heroic is his willingness to put others ahead of himself.

The Shadow

One half of a polarity, the opposing face of a positive archetype. A lover turning against their partner may become a jealous and vindictive person. May be an external character. may also be a fatal flaw within the Hero that will bring them to their knees.

The Herald

A messenger figure, usually to an important person like a king or a god. This archetypal character typically makes their appearance toward the beginning of the story, in the first act. The news they bring changes the protagonist’s life forever, and may even act as the story’s inciting incident.

The Mentor

Serves to signal challenges and changes that the Hero must face, to let them know that change is coming. Aare guides, dispensers of wisdom, opportunity, and tools that will aid the Hero on their quest. They are often depicted as wise old men or women. They may have been Heroes themselves in the past, and are here to share what they’ve learned, to pass along the lessons of their own experiences to the next generation

The Threshold Guardian

This archetype serves to test the Hero, to make sure they are truly committed to the ordeals that lay before them. Although they may appear at first as opponents, blocking the way forward, once the Hero passes the test and proves their worth.

Allies

A pattern of characters commonly found in stories who support and aid the protagonist in achieving their goal or overcoming an obstacle. Allies can take many forms, from friends and family members to mentors and advisors.

The Shapeshifter

Embodies the urge to change, the psychological or physical process of personal transformation. The archetype can also be found in characters whose loyalty is uncertain, or whose true nature is unclear.

The Trickster

Function as catalysts for change, while often remaining unchanged themselves. They call attention to imbalance and injustice, prompting action or reaction from the Hero. They may serve to lighten a morally or heavily transformative story.