Monday, October 21, 2013

Hero's Journey

 In my Stories course, we were assigned to write an analysis for a fictional hero and non-fiction hero based on Joseph Campbell's model of the Hero's journey. We study Joseph Campbell's Monomyth theory. The purpose of this action project was to analyze our heroes and their stories. My analysis is a combination of a presentation and detailed summary. I enjoyed working on this action project.

Below is my written analysis and presentation.



Hero’s Journey


Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning thief is a fantasy film set in the 21st century. The film borders around the Percy Jackson novel series, by Rick Riordan. In the film, the gods of Mount Olympus and monsters seemed to have walked right out of Percy Jackson’s mythology book and into his life. In the film, Percy is portrayed as a brave and  courageous teenager.

Call to adventure
Unaware of his true identity, Percy is a troubled 16 years with ADHD and dyslexia, with an unique ability to stay underwater for a long period of time. On a field trip to the museum, a fury disguised as Mrs.Dodds attacked Percy and demands for Zeus’s lightning bolt. Zeus’s lightning bolt is the most powerful and devastating weapon. It can destroy mountains and kill Titans.

Mentor/Helper
Percy’s best friend, Grover and Mr. Brunner, his latin teacher helped scare the fury away. Mr.Brunner has Grover take Percy to his mother Sally to Camp half blood. On there way to camp half blood, they are attacked by a minotaur. Percy loses his mother during this battle.

Threshold
By using the minotaur’s horns, Percy was able to kill the minotaur. from all the shock, he fainted. A couples days later, he learned he was the son of Poseidon, that  Mr.Brunner or Chiron was a centaur, and that Grover was a satyr, his protector. Chiron shared all of his knowledge with Percy, and warns him of the danger that lays ahead.

Growth/Skills
Percy began training to use his powers, which include water manipulation and water healing.  After winning a capture the flag game, he received a fiery apparition of his uncle Hades, who reveals that his mother is with him in the underworld. Percy decides to disobey Chiron and go to the underworld. He is accompanied by Annabeth, daughter of Athena and Grover. Luke, son of Hermes provides them with a shield, a pair of winged sneakers, and a map showing the locations of three pearls.

Trials/Challenges
The trio located the first pearl at Medusa's Lair. Percy decapitated her and took her head for later use. The second pearl is in the Parthenon in Nashville. Percy recovers the pearl. However, they are confronted by Hydra. They petrified her by using Medusa’s head. The Third pearl is in the Lotus casino in Las Vegas. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover ate the lotus flower and forgot their purposes. Poseidon spoke in Percy’s mind, which helped him return to his senses. With all of the pearls in their possession, they located the portal to the underworld.

Return
In the underworld, they meet Persephone and Hades. Hades finds the lightning bolt hidden inside Luke’s shield, revealing that Luke was the lightning thief. Because there was only three pearls, Grover volunteered to stay with Persephone, enabling Sally to leave the underworld. The three teleported to the Empire State building, Mount Olympus. Luke attacked Percy.

Revelation/Discarding old self/Accepting the new role
By accepting his identity, he was able to harness the complete power of water. Percy defeated Luke, returned the lightning bolt to Zeus, which allowed Poseidon to briefly speak to his son. The film ends with Percy and Annabeth reunited with Grover and returning to camp Half Blood to continue his training.

 Non-Fictional Hero


Heroes take many forms when we are children, from comic book superheroes such as superman to imaginary friends. As we reach adulthood, our definition of a hero becomes clear, and our heroes become those who we love and admire. Heroes are typically identified with good qualities. Many define heroism as bravery. The dictionary defines bravery as showing no fear.  We are all heroes and have our own heroes. My hero is my mother. My mom has always been the backbone of our family. I have always tried to live through her.


The image above is a comic strip showing six different phases of my hero’s educational paths and struggles.

Call to adventure/Threshold
My mother grew up. My mother grew up in Divenie, a village in the Congo. At the age of 3, she started working in the fields/plantations with her parents. “ I worked 5 hours a day,” she said in her interview with me. She lived in a humbled home. She started school when she was 5 years old. “Going to school was a struggle for me,” she said remorsefully.

Trials/Threshold
My mom, never received the support she needed. “ My parents weren’t able to support me financially or emotionally,” she said. My mom never gave up on her studies. She left the village to go to the city and pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.  She walked about 20 kilometers each day to attend school. My mom was able to support herself financially, by making clothes.

Mentor/Discarding old self/Revelation
Her grandmother supported her emotionally. “ If it wasn’t for my grandmother, I would have lost my mind,” She said lovingly. However, she struggled with keeping up with other students. By her senior year, she got pregnant with her child and stopped going to school. “ Unfortunately, my dream never can true,” She said  mournfully.

No comments:

Post a Comment