English IName______

The Maze RunnerHour_____

Epic Hero Cycle

Fill out this chart with examples of the elements as depicted in The Maze Runner. In the second column, find examples from another book or film that you consider to be an epic. Place the title of your book or film in the second column.

Element / The Maze Runner
The main character is a hero, who is often possessed of supernatural abilities or qualities.
The hero is charged with a quest.
The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest.
The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals. The hero is victorious over a monster.
The hero crosses a body of water or travels into another world.
The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated.
A resurrection. The hero finds strength to continue.
Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne.
Element / The Maze Runner
The hero is naïve and inexperienced.
The hero has a strange, wise being or person as a mentor/sage.
The hero yearns for the beautiful lady who is sometimes his source of inspiration.
The origin of the hero is mysterious or the hero losses his/her parents at a young age.
The hero goes through a rite of passage or initiation.
The hero struggles for something valuable and important.
The hero has a loyal band of companions or followers.
The hero makes a stirring speech to his or her companions or followers.
The hero engages in a test or contests of strength.
The hero suffers a wound, sometimes emotional or spiritual from which the hero never completely recovers.

After you have completed the chart, it is time for you to create an outline proving your example is an epic. Your outline will be evaluated based on using the correct outline format (50%) and on your ideas (50%). There are only two complete sentences in an outline: the thesis statement and the conclusion. Everything else is topics and phrases. See the sample and the checklist for the correct outline format.

Outline Checklist

______Title is centered (your topic)

______Thesis Statement is labeled (left margin)

______Double-spaced throughout

______Roman numeral system used

______Indentations line up

______Capitalize first words

______Periods after Roman numerals / letters

______Topics / phrases, not sentences

______Conclusion statement is labeled (left margin)

______If A, then B; if 1, then 2

______/15

Ideas Checklist

______Strong topic choice

______Explanations prove thesis

______Covers all elements

______Uses specific examples

______Shows understanding of epic hero cycle

______Original writing

______/15 points

The Epic Cycle of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Thesis Statement: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indianfollows the epic hero cycle.

  1. Hero’s qualities
  2. Highly intelligent
  3. Sense of humor
  4. Brave
  5. Quest for a good education
  6. Finds his mother’s name in geometry book
  7. Leaves reservation
  8. Attends white high school
  9. Tests of the hero
  10. Angers best friend
  11. Deals with racism
  12. Tribe ostracizes him
  13. Lives in poverty
  14. Death of family and friends
  15. Grandmother Spirit
  16. Eugene (his father’s friend)
  17. Mary (his sister)
  18. Alcohol/Alcoholism
  19. Causes death
  20. Grandmother hit by drunk driver
  21. Eugene shot by friend
  22. Mary dies in fire
  23. Alcoholic father
  24. Leaves at Christmas
  25. Money on alcohol, not food
  26. Helpers and Companions
  27. Supportive parents
  28. Gordy – homework help
  29. Penelope – emotional support
  30. Roger – financial & emotional support
  31. Supernatural World of Reardan High School
  32. Low point
  33. Grandmother’s death
  34. Eugene’s death
  35. Resurrection
  36. Students protest teacher
  37. Plays basketball with Rowdy
  38. Restitution
  39. Gets good grades
  40. Makes up with Rowdy

Conclusion: Junior faces his struggles bravely, just like an epic hero should.