A Hero's Journey
Defined by Joseph Campbell
Whether someone is a hero or not is very controversial. It is all a matter of perspective and opinion. However, we can use Joseph Campbell's "A Hero's Journey" to identify heroic characteristics of a person or character.
Dorothy's Journey
The Mundane World
Dorothy lives on a farm in the prairies of Kansas with her Aunt and Uncle. Life is boring and bleak.
Dorothy lives on a farm in the prairies of Kansas with her Aunt and Uncle. Life is boring and bleak.
The Call to Adventure
A tornado takes Dorothy and her home away from Kansas and into Oz. She must return home.
A tornado takes Dorothy and her home away from Kansas and into Oz. She must return home.
Refusal of the Quest
Dorothy refuses to follow the yellow brick road without the Good Witch of the North.
Dorothy refuses to follow the yellow brick road without the Good Witch of the North.
Supernatural Aid
Dorothy receives help from the Good Witch of the North. She also meets Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion.
Dorothy receives help from the Good Witch of the North. She also meets Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion.
Crossing the First Threshold
Dorothy enters the land of Oz, literally crossing the threshold between worlds. The Threshold Guardians are the Munchkins and the Good Witch of the North.
Dorothy enters the land of Oz, literally crossing the threshold between worlds. The Threshold Guardians are the Munchkins and the Good Witch of the North.
Belly of the Whale
Dorothy begins her quest on the yellow brick road. She is determined to find a way back home and knows that she can't turn back now.
Dorothy begins her quest on the yellow brick road. She is determined to find a way back home and knows that she can't turn back now.
The Road of Trials
Whilst walking down the yellow brick road, Dorothy faces many trials. For example, she faces hunger head on, she fights against the Kalidahs (terrible beasts that roam forests), nearly dies of eternal sleep in the poppy fields and has to fend off all kinds of terrible spells the Wicked Witch of the West has placed on her.
Whilst walking down the yellow brick road, Dorothy faces many trials. For example, she faces hunger head on, she fights against the Kalidahs (terrible beasts that roam forests), nearly dies of eternal sleep in the poppy fields and has to fend off all kinds of terrible spells the Wicked Witch of the West has placed on her.
The Meeting of the Goddess
Dorothy has four goddesses. She has Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and Toto. They always give her a reason to continue her journey to the Wizard.
Dorothy has four goddesses. She has Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and Toto. They always give her a reason to continue her journey to the Wizard.
Woman as Temptress
The poppy fields were Dorothy's temptress. They were so vibrant and colorful, they lured Dorothy and her friends into their death trap.
The poppy fields were Dorothy's temptress. They were so vibrant and colorful, they lured Dorothy and her friends into their death trap.
Atonement with the Father
Dorothy's ultimate fight is with the Wicked Witch of the West. She has ultimate power over Dorothy and as long as the Witch dies, Dorothy can return home.
Dorothy's ultimate fight is with the Wicked Witch of the West. She has ultimate power over Dorothy and as long as the Witch dies, Dorothy can return home.
Apotheosis
Dorothy experiences death when she kills the Witch. It may not be her own death but she experiences the ideal itself. She is then happy peaceful because she knows that Oz will send her back to Kansas now.
Dorothy experiences death when she kills the Witch. It may not be her own death but she experiences the ideal itself. She is then happy peaceful because she knows that Oz will send her back to Kansas now.
The Ultimate Boon
Dorothy is finally able to return home. Glinda the Good Witch of the South has taught Dorothy how to go back to Kansas.
Dorothy is finally able to return home. Glinda the Good Witch of the South has taught Dorothy how to go back to Kansas.
Refusal of the Return
Dorothy doesn't wish to leave all the friends she has made in Oz. She considers staying in Oz but that is only for a brief moment.
Dorothy doesn't wish to leave all the friends she has made in Oz. She considers staying in Oz but that is only for a brief moment.
The Magic Flight
Dorothy uses her magic slippers to send her back to Kansas.
Dorothy uses her magic slippers to send her back to Kansas.
Rescue from Without
Dorothy is rescued by Glinda the Good WItch. Without her, Dorothy would've been stuck in Oz.
Dorothy is rescued by Glinda the Good WItch. Without her, Dorothy would've been stuck in Oz.
Crossing of the Return Threshold
Dorothy arrives in Kansas and runs back to her farm and Aunt Em.
Dorothy arrives in Kansas and runs back to her farm and Aunt Em.
Master of Two Worlds
Dorothy lives happily in Kansas with all the knowledge she has learned in Oz. She will always remember her friends and keep them close in her heart.
Dorothy lives happily in Kansas with all the knowledge she has learned in Oz. She will always remember her friends and keep them close in her heart.
Freedom to Live
Dorothy doesn't think of Kansas as boring and bleak. She will always cherish the idea of home and will not hesitate to live her life freely and adventurously.
Dorothy doesn't think of Kansas as boring and bleak. She will always cherish the idea of home and will not hesitate to live her life freely and adventurously.