The Ultimate Hero's Journey
Page 8
Harry Potter:The parade of snakes has no end. Voldemort himself looks like a snake, of course. But then we have Slytherin House, Nagini,Vipera Evanesca, the Basilisk, dragons, and so forth.
Sideways: Finally, a story that doesn’t refer to snakes at all. Jack has to run naked through an ostrich farm, though, which sadly happens off-screen. (“Those fuckers are mean!”)
Dodgeball: The Villain’s team is called “The Purple Cobras,” with a snake in their logo and everything.
Related:
090 – Blindness Symbolism
185 – Consummation of Love
085 – Surpassing Peers
The Hero surpasses the Mentor.
The best of them all, however, is the Goddess.
Description:
Once the Hero has surpassed all peers and Mentors, the only one left to surpass is the Villain, something that right now seems impossible.
But this stage shows the talent of the Hero’s counter-sexual figure: The Goddess. She is more intelligent, studious, and resourceful than everyone else—the Hero included.
Examples:
Star Wars: Leia is the only person with more commanding talent than Luke or Obi-Wan. She is the bravest and the most intelligent of them all.
The Matrix: In the dojo simulation, Neo moves faster than Morpheus. The only person with better combat ability than him is Trinity. For now, at least.
Harry Potter: Harry is a powerful wizard, but when it comes to spells, transfigurations, potions, and wielding a wand, Hermione is the best of them all. She’s the top student of her class.
Sideways: Miles is a natural at tasting wine, but Maya is the one with the sharpest palate. And she’s studying horticulture to become a wine grower.
Dodgeball: They all are natural dodgeball players—except Justin: He is a natural male cheerleader. But Kate is faster, stronger, and more precise than anyone else.
Related:
104 – The Hero’s Improvement
086 – Atonement: First Foreshadow
At the climax of the story there will be
an Atonement with the Father.
Description:
This stage compares the Hero to his father by showing a trait that both share, either a positive or a negative one.
This stage presents the father’s backstory, showing how he dealt with the same challenge that the Hero will have to face.
This happens in anticipation of the Hero’s supreme choice: To be or not to be like the father. (Answer: None of the above—see related stages).
Examples:
Star Wars: Anakin was the strongest with the Force, but he succumbed to the Dark Side. That risk is ever present in Luke, too: Will he succumb, or will he resist?
The Matrix: Neo’s fatherly figure is Morpheus, who’s all about belief. But Neo will need to transcend mere belief. That’s the only way he can see beyond the Prophecy.
Harry Potter: Harry’s father sacrificed himself to protect his loved ones, and Harry will face the same destiny. But he will prevail where his father couldn’t.
Sideways: Miles is compared to the “father” character in the novel he wrote, whose story ends badly. Will Miles’s story end like that, as well?
Dodgeball: (Not applicable).
Related:
121 – Atonement: Second Foreshadow
181 – Atonement
087 – World under Surveillance
The ordinary people get restrained, scattered,
imprisoned, or sent into exile.
Description:
Not every story has to be about an evil empire controlling the galaxy, but the dominion of evil must expand somehow. And things will get even worst as the story progresses.
Examples:
Star Wars:The dominion of the Empire across multiple star systems grows. “The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers,” Leia says.
The Matrix: Morpheus explains that humanity is controlled by Machines. He paraphrases Baudrillard: “Welcome to the desert of the Real.”
Harry Potter: Hagrid mentions that Voldemort is not dead but hiding somewhere. Indeed, The Dark Lord uses Quirrell to get access to Hogwarts. He’s right there, watching everything.
Sideways: Miles lives with a dark companion over his shoulder: His depression, which is mentioned a few times, either directly, or indirectly by referencing his therapist, his medication, etc.
Dodgeball: A huge monitor at Globo Gym shows White Goodman controlling everyone: “You call that a sit-up? Don’t slack, Trevor. I’m watching you!”
Related:
014 – The World in Decline
035 – The Villain’s Dominion
088 – Good Guys in Disagreement
The good guys still don’t know what needs to be done.
Description:
The opinions of the peers prevail over our Hero’s; their plan is accepted despite the Hero’s resistance. That plan will fail, of course.
Nuking an asteroid, sending a helicopter to communicate with the alien mothership, or shooting first and asking questions later—whatever is done, it ends up in catastrophe.
Examples:
Star Wars:Han’s ship follows a solitary TIE Fighter to a small moon. Luke warns that it’s not a moon, but a battle station. Han disagrees: “It is too big to be a battle station.” Well, itis a battle station, and they just got caught in its tractor beam.
The Matrix:Cypher asks Trinity, “You like watching him, don’t you?” Trinity replies, “Don’t be ridiculous.” Cypher says, “We’re going to kill him. Do you understand that?” Cypher will indeed try to kill Neo, which will not work as he expects (see132 – Attack 9: The Hero’s Lair).
Harry Potter: Harry knows that the sorcerer’s stone is at risk of being stolen. The professors dismiss his concerns. They’re wrong.
Sideways: Miles proposes starting the wine tour at the other end of the valley, so the drunker they are, the closer to the hotel they are. Jack doesn’t care about wine; he just wants to have sex with a woman. The two have an argument.
Dodgeball: Instead of the uniforms they ordered, the team receives a box full of sadomasochistic, erotic outfits. Kate and Dwight refuse to play using those, but they are forced by the circumstances. The public at the arena doesn’t take that very well.
Related:
137 – Recrimination by Ally
089 – A Bad Feeling about This
Some character expresses pessimism.
Description:
This stage is an Omen of impending catastrophe.
Some character says something like “I smell trouble,” “I have a bad feeling about this,” or “this is not going to end well.”
This stage can also adopt the opposite form: “Everything is going to be okay.” It will not.
Examples:
Star Wars: As the Millennium Falcon is hauled to the Death Star by the tractor beam, Luke says, “I have a very bad feeling about this.” C3PO says it all the time, of course.
The Matrix: Cypher warns Neo, “Fasten your seat belt, Dorothy, because Kansas is gonna bye-bye.”
Harry Potter: The kids find themselves in the forbidden corridor. Harry says, “Does anyone feel like we shouldn’t be here?”
Sideways: Jack insists that Miles must approach Maya. Miles answers, “She’s a fucking waitress in Buellton. How would that ever work?”
Dodgeball: Dwight predicts, “We’re gonna get our taints handed to us!” Jason asks, “What’s a taint?” Gordon says: “I don’t know. It sounds bad”.
Related:
127 – A Suicide Mission
090 – Blindness Symbolism
Awakening is still a long way ahead.
Description:
The Hero is still “blind”—blind to his true potential, to the plans and power of the dark side, and to the growing attraction with the Goddess.
This is shown metaphorically by introducing some reference to ignorance, disorientation, or even literal
blindness.
Examples:
Star Wars:Luke trains in the use of the lightsaber using a blinding helmet. What Luke doesn’tsee yet, though, is the power of the Force that resides in him.
The Matrix: Neo and Morpheus arrive at the Oracle’s building. A blind man greets them with a nod, as if he could see Morpheus’s nod. The blind one here, though, is Neo who has to see the world and himself for what they really are.
Harry Potter: Harry uses an invisibility cloak to move around, and no one can see him infiltrating the Library. The oil lamp falling and breaking is also symbolic of the lack of sight or light.
Sideways: Miles attributes Maya’s kindness to the fact that she works for tips. Jack tells him, “You’re blind, dude. Blind.” What Miles refuses to see is the mutual attraction he and Maya have.
Dodgeball: Patches asks Peter to blindfold himself and learn to dodge balls without seeing them. What Peter has yet to see is his crucial role as leader of the team.
Related:
084 – Snake Symbolism
185 – Consummation of Love
091 – Attack 4: Interrogation
The Villain tries to extract information from the Hero.
Description:
The Hero has entered the radar of the Villain. However, the Villain hasn’t yet realized the magnitude of the threat the Hero poses.
In this stage, we see the dark side’s methods up close. There is an interrogation or a demand, but the Hero refuses to collaborate, even under duress.
Examples:
Star Wars: Darth Vader enters Leia’s cell and demands to know the location of the Rebel base. A scary interrogation drone with a needle hovers toward the Princess. She resists the torture.
The Matrix: Neo is interrogated by the Agents. He gives them the finger. Later on, Morpheus will resist their terrible methods, too.
Harry Potter: Just before the Sorting Hat ceremony, Malfoy tries to recruit Harry for his cabal. Harry refuses.
Sideways: Jack tries to put Miles into party mood. Miles just want to go back to the motel and crash.
Dodgeball: White tries to seduce Kate. She says, “Sorry, I vomited a little bit inside my mouth.”
Related:
033 – Attack 3: The Hero Resists
092 – Attack 5: Spying
092 – Attack 5: Spying
The dark side conducts some intelligence task.
Description:
The Hero refused to collaborate with the dark side, so now the Villain has to try a different method: Spying. The Villain uses tracking devices, cameras, microphones, spies, cell phones... Anything that works.
The maneuver works for a while, until the Goddess discovers and neutralizes it. Nonetheless, the Villain is able to develop a plan based on the information obtained.
Examples:
Star Wars: Once the Millennium Falcon has escaped the Death Star, Leia warns Luke and Han that the ship is surely being tracked with a beacon. Han dismisses her suspicion, but she is right, of course.
The Matrix: Smith inserts a “bug” (a disgusting insect-like tracking device) in Neo. Trinity extracts it and throws it out the car’s window.
Harry Potter:Malfoy spies on Harry and turns him in, because Harry was outside after hours. Professor McGonagall puts Harry in detention, but she punishes Malfoy, too (a passage I also refer to in stage129 - The Villain’s Shadow).
Sideways: Christine calls Jack insistently, wanting to know what is he up to; Miles makes excuses for him. Note that Christine is not a Villain and Miles is a not Goddess, but the stage is there, anyway.
Dodgeball: White Goodman puts a life-sized cardboard cutout of himself inside Peter’s Gym. It is meant as an insult, but it also contains a hidden camera. Kate destroys the camera by throwing a fastball to the figure’s head.
Related:
091 – Attack 4: Interrogations
093 – Baptism of Fire: Failure
The Hero faces the first battle or challenge.
Description:
This stage introduces the Hero’s first real test: A battle, a fight, a discussion, a dangerous situation, confrontation, a game, etc. The Hero fails, and the reason is once more the Hero’s Weakness.
This stage creates doubts about the Hero, but not disappointment: The audience must keep rooting for the Hero.
Examples:
Star Wars: Luke is confronted by two criminals in the cantina. He fails to deflect their provocation. One of the criminals pulls a gun and takes aim at Luke, intending to kill him. Luke doesn’t react to the aggression in time.
The Matrix: Neo jumps between the two buildings and falls all the way down to the pavement.
Harry Potter: Harry confronts a troll in the girl’s bathroom. He fails to use his wand. The troll grabs him from one leg. His wand is gone, and he’s about to be killed.
Sideways: In his first real talk with Maya, Miles misses an opportunity to get a date. Maya leaves.
Dodgeball: Average Joe’s plays a qualifying match against Troop 417, a team of Girl Scouts. They lose miserably.
Related:
070 – Baptism of Water
094 – Baptism of Fire: Rescue
094 – Baptism of Fire: Rescue
The Mentor (or some other ally) brings the Hero back to life.
Description:
The Hero lives to fight another day, but there is a physical wound involved in this stage. The Baptism of Fire is an instance of Transmogrification (stage 044), so we need to see some blood here.
This first resurrection is not the work of the Goddess, though. Keep her miracle in reserve for later.
Examples:
Star Wars: Just before Luke gets shot, Obi-Wan ignites his lightsaber with blinding speed and swiftly eliminates the threat. On the floor we see a cut-off arm laying in a puddle of blood.
The Matrix: Tank, who controls the training simulation, turns the pavement into a flexible surface so Neo doesn’t die on impact. Neo leaves the program with blood in his mouth, though.
Harry Potter: Ron casts the levitation spell on the Troll, saving Harry. The three kids end up with scratches from the violent fight.
Sideways: Jack seduces Stephanie, who knows Maya. This gives rise to a new chance for Miles to approach Maya.
Dodgeball: Troop 417 is disqualified because one of girls tested positive for “three separate types of anabolic steroids and a beaver tranquilizer.” Average Joe’s qualifies. They are all hurting from the violence of the little girls’ shots, though.
Related:
070 – Baptism of Water
093 – Baptism of Fire: Failure
166 – The Hero’s Resurrection
095 – Attack 6: Intimidation
The Villain makes a demonstration of power.
Description:
Spying on the Hero didn’t work as well as expected, so the Villain launches a new offensive. This is a psychological attack, another step in the escalating virulence of the Villain’s actions.
The Hero resists but doesn’t fight back.
Examples:
Star Wars: Leia resists torture. Vader tells Tarkin, “It will be some time before we can extract any information from her.”
The Matrix: The Agents pin Neo down on a table and say, “You are going to help us whether you want it or not, Mr. Anderson.” They insert the bug through his navel. Neo resists.
Harry Potter: Draco Malfoy shows his proficiency in flying on a broomstick; he takes Neville’s remembrall and threatens to destroy it. Harry defends his friend.
Sideways: Jack rebukes Miles because he didn’t approach Maya. Miles resists the attack by inventing excuses.
Dodgeball:White Goodman and his team show up at the restaurant for a vain demonstration of power. They bully the group of celebrating friends.
Related:
092 – Attack 5: Spying
102 – Attack 7: False Enemy
096 – The Hero Is Recognized
Somebody recognizes the Hero. A reference
>
to the legend behind the Hero is made.
Description:
The Hero’s arc continues evolving from anonymity to popularity. Some minor character recognizes the Hero and the Hero’s accomplishments.
The stakes rise, because of the expectations deposited on the Hero have grown.
Examples:
Star Wars: Luke remains anonymous, but there is another “legend” in this story: “You’ve never heard of the Millennium Falcon? It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs!” says Han, trying to impress Obi-Wan.
The Matrix: Neo arrives at the Oracle’s apartment. An unknown woman opens the door and tells him, “Hello, Neo. You’re just in time.”
Harry Potter: Everyone who crosses paths with Harry recognizes the name; for example, the patrons at the Leaky Cauldron: “Bless my soul—it’s Harry Potter”; “Welcome back, Mr. Potter, welcome back”; “Doris Crockford, Mr. Potter. I can’t believe I’m meeting you at last.”
Sideways: Everyone congratulates Miles when Jack talks about the (non-existent) book deal.
Dodgeball: At the restaurant, Patches recognizes Peter from the match against the Girl Scouts. “That was the worst damn display of dodgeball I’ve seen in years,” Patches says.
Related:
063 – The Hero Is Welcome
097 – Right Words at the Right Time (1)
The Hero receives a piece of wisdom.
Description:
The Right Words contain the message, or moral, of the story.
Not much happens when these words are pronounced. In fact, the scene usually ends right there. These words, however, sink deep in the Hero’s consciousness.
The Right Words are not just motivational; they are an existential truth that will eventually allow the Hero to let go of the Weakness, to trust his talents, and to win this thing.
Examples:
Star Wars: These words have become part of a generation: “May the Force be with you.” That conviction is what gives Luke the final victory.