Finding the Hero’s Journey in What We Read

Complete an analysis of your chosen reading book by filling in the boxes below. Answers should be in complete sentences. ABSOLUTELY NO ONE-WORD ANSWERS EVER! Make sure to do a spell and grammar check before you submit. All responses should be in Times New Roman, 12pt font, 1.5 spaced text. The boxes will expand as you continue writing.

Formatting has already been preset – so long as you don’t change anything you should be good to go!

*Note: Stories that are epic or adventurous in scope usually work best for this assignment. HOWEVER, 90% of what we read (books/stories/etc.), watch (film/tv), or play (video games). You’d be hard-pressed to find a story that doesn’t fit; in fact, I double-dog-dare you to find something that doesn’t!

Choose a story:
Name the title and author of your book.
The Hero:
Who is the protagonist of your story? If there are multiple protagonist, do your best to narrow it down to one main character. What are some of the hero’s heroic qualities? What makes this person the central figure or hero of the story?
The Quest:
What task is the protagonist given to complete? Usually there is a problem that the hero needs to solve.
Ordinary World:
At the beginning of the story, what is the hero’s location? Is this an exciting place? How? Why? Does the hero want to escape this place? Why or why not?
Call to Adventure &
Herald:
What news or event breaks the hero away from the world he/she is used to? Is the Hero reluctant to go at first? Why or why not?
Mentor:
Who is a wise character who offers advice or assistance to the hero on the journey? What assistance does the mentor offer the hero? How does the Hero react to the mentor?
Talisman / Special Weapon:
Is the hero given a special item? Does the hero have a special power or ability that others do not have – something that sets the hero apart from those around him/her? How does this talisman and/or weapon help the hero on the journey?
*NOTES: There may be more than one!
Threshold Guardian:
Is there a small obstacle that the hero must overcome at the beginning of his or her journey? This might be a lesser villain or adventure that the hero must defeat or a fear that needs to be overcome.
Allies:
Who are the characters who accompany the hero on the journey? How do they help the hero?
Shadow:
Who is the ultimate antagonist – the character, group, or force that the hero is struggling against? How is this character the opposite of the hero?
Tests:
What are the events that happen in the story that teach the hero valuable lessons and make him or her stronger?
*Note: List the event, what happens, and what was gained or learned.
Supreme Ordeal:
What is the ultimate task that the hero must perform to solve his or her problem?
Reward / Treasure:
What does the hero receive for defeating the Shadow or passing the Supreme Ordeal?
Restoring the World:
How has the hero’s world changed because of the journey? How is it better – or maybe just different?
Wisdom:
What lessons has the hero learned about him/herself on this journey? What are we (the spectators) supposed to learn from the journey?

Does the author create a hero model worth emulating? Explain thoroughly and provide multiple examples from the text to support your opinion.