Breaking Down The Hero's Journey Plot Structure
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In 1949, mythologist Joseph Campbell published The Hero With a Thousand Faces, which outlines the structure of the journeys that archetypical heroes experience in world myths.
This structure became known as the monomyth, or Hero’s Journey, and has since served as the framework behind many popular speculative fiction books and films, including Star Wars, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Hunger Games, Ender's Game, and The Lord of the Rings.
Typically, the Hero’s Journey follows a Chosen One, a character solely responsible for the fate of a people group in the face of great danger. The Chosen One usually possesses a unique trait, skill, or ability that emphasizes their importance. Common examples include:
Luke Skywalker, whose ability to use the Force helps him save the galaxy in Star Wars
Katniss Everdeen, whose archery skills, fierce independence, and uncommon compassion make her the perfect face for the rebellion in The Hunger Games
Aragorn, whose destiny as a descendant of Isildur enables him to bear his ancestor’s famed sword and summon the aid of the Dead Men of Dunharrow in The Lord of the Rings
The Hero's Journey is circular in structure, meaning the Chosen One’s journey typically ends where it begins, though the journey itself will leave them forever changed.
The structure introduces the Chosen One in their known world (i.e. a familiar place) before inviting them into an unknown (i.e. unfamiliar) world rife with danger. Often, the journey into the unknown introduces the Chosen One to their unique power. Alternatively, it may encourage them to utilize a known power in new or increasingly demanding ways.
At its core, the Hero’s Journey is a story of transformation, typically featuring a positive character arc that sees the Chosen One overcome an internal flaw to fulfill their destiny. If you’d like to write such a story, then utilizing the Hero’s Journey can help you develop a powerful, well-paced plot.
Outlining The Hero's Journey
Several iterations of the Hero’s Journey exist, some more complex than others. Below, I’ve outlined a fairly standard version of the monomyth, simplifying and tweaking some elements of Campbell’s original outline for the sake of clarity and brevity.
Experiencing The Known World
Introduction
The hero’s journey begins in their known world, a familiar place in which they live a relatively mundane life. Typically, the introduction showcases the hero engaging in an everyday conflict or activity that reveals their dissatisfaction with the known world.
For example, in Star Wars, George Lucas introduces Luke Skywalker as a farm boy living on Tatooine, a desolate desert planet. We first see Luke helping his uncle Owen purchase droids for the family homestead, though we quickly learn that Luke would rather enroll in the Imperial Academy than tend his chores.
Call to Adventure
The Call to Adventure disrupts the hero’s everyday life, presenting the hero with an (often unwanted) opportunity to leave their known world.
Often the hero hesitates to accept this call to adventure, fearing the real or imagined dangers the unknown world presents, deeming themselves unworthy of the adventure, or feeling duty-bound to remain in their known world.
However, in some cases, the hero doesn’t hesitate to accept this call, either because they’re eager for adventure and unencumbered by responsibility or because something terrible would be at stake if they refused.
For example, Katniss immediately volunteers to take Prim’s place when chosen for the Hunger Games, as Prim is young and highly unlikely to survive.
Acceptance of The Call
If the hero doesn’t immediately embrace the call to adventure, then they may choose to do so after some deliberation. However, it’s typically an unexpected event that pressures the hero into accepting the call.
This occurs in Star Wars when Luke initially refuses to join Obi-Wan in aiding Princess Leia. But when Luke’s aunt and uncle are killed by the Empire, Luke sees no other option but to accept Obi-Wan’s request.
Supernatural Aid
Upon accepting the call to adventure, the hero encounters (or rejoins) a being of famed or supernatural origin who aids them in their journey. Take Gandalf, Glinda the Good Witch, and Albus Dumbledore for example.
Often, this “supernatural” being will gift the hero with a special object or talisman (e.g. the One Ring) and/or train them to use their unique power (e.g. the way of the Force).
Journeying Into an Unknown World
Crossing The Threshold
The threshold is the literal or figurative door between worlds, which the hero must cross to begin their journey into the unknown. Sometimes, the hero must complete a task presented by a threshold guardian to begin their journey.
For example, when Clary Fray begins to see a world invisible to others in City of Bones, she worries for her sanity. It isn’t until she kills an attacking demon, the threshold guardian, that the supernatural Jace Wayland introduces her to the world of Shadowhunters.
Experiencing The Unknown World
After crossing the threshold, the hero experiences a series of events that opens their eyes to the wonders and dangers of the unknown world. While they may progress in their journey to achieve a particular goal, they haven’t yet fully engaged with the story’s main conflict or claimed their role in the fight.
For example, upon leaving District 12, Katniss Everdeen journeys to the Capitol, where she must train for the Games and participate in a series of interviews and events before she enters the arena.
The Belly Of The Whale
Just as the hero begins to acclimate to the unknown world, an event occurs that marks the point of no return, solidifying the hero’s separation from their known world and their willingness to transform.
This moment occurs in The Lord of the Rings when the Ringwraiths attack and nearly kill Frodo as he journeys to deliver the Ring to Elrond. Understanding what’s at stake for the Shire, Frodo volunteers to take to the Ring to Mordor.
The Road of Trials
To begin their metamorphosis, the hero experiences a series of trials in which they must face the dangers of the unknown world. Typically, the hero fails one or more of these trials, though they will eventually overcome.
For example, after Luke, Han, and Obi-Wan flee Stormtroopers on Mos Eisley, they’re captured by the Death Star’s tractor beam. When Luke discovers that Leia is aboard the Death Star, he sets out to save her — only to encounter a series of mishaps and run-ins with Stormtroopers.
Undergoing the Death & Rebirth Cycle
Approaching The Innermost Cave
To fulfill their quest, the hero must enter the heart of the unknown world, a place full of danger and wonder. The hero’s approach to this innermost cave will clarify the true life-and-death nature of their quest, underscoring the stakes should they fail to achieve their goal.
This moment occurs in The Hunger Games when some of the Career Tributes chase Katniss up a tree, forcing her to at last confront the truest, darkest element of the Games: the need to kill to survive.
Facing The Great Ordeal
After arriving at the innermost cave, the hero must complete a dangerous task, such as winning a fight, solving an important riddle, or facing an internal conflict. To emerge victorious, the hero must draw upon the lessons they’ve learned throughout their journey — and possibly make a terrible sacrifice.
This moment occurs at the approximate midpoint of the Hero’s Journey and serves as the hero’s (literal or figurative) death and rebirth, from which they emerge with newfound strength and resolve to achieve their goal.
Katniss experiences her great ordeal in The Hunger Games when the Careers trap her with the intent to kill. Not only must she formulate an escape plan; she must decide whether she’s willing to kill to ensure her survival.
Ultimately, Katniss weaponizes a Tracker Jacker nest to distract the Career Tributes, ensuring her escape at the cost of killing two of her competitors. She emerges from this experience with the resolve to actively undermine her fellow competitors rather than continuing to hide and flee.
Receiving the Reward
Despite the cost of their victory, the hero often receives some form a reward for weathering their great ordeal, usually a magical object, new insight or abilities, or the return of an ally or loved one.
In Star Wars, Luke’s reward is the rescue of Princess Leia and the escape from the Death Star. In The Hunger Games, Katniss is rewarded with a newfound ally in Rue, a competitor who helped her formulate her Tracker-Jacker plan.
Beginning the Return Journey
Atonement
With a great victory under their belt, the hero strives to return to some version of their known world. Sometimes they’ve yet to achieve their mission, though often they have. But because of the experiences of their death and rebirth, the hero is forever changed — and they recognize that something remains amiss.
The hero may try to overcome this feeling by atoning for wrongs committed during the first half of their journey, even as their renown as a hero begins to grow.
For example, after delivering Leia to the Rebel base, Luke atones for his initial ambivalence toward the Empire by joining the rebellion as a fighter pilot, eager to take part in the upcoming conflict against the approaching Death Star.
True Resurrection
At last, the hero encounters their final battle with the dangers of the known world. Whether facing down the villain, a physical obstacle, or the choice between selfish and selfless desires, the stakes have never higher.
This moment marks the climax of the Hero’s Journey, as well as the hero’s true rebirth. In finding victory over the dangers of the known world, they save their people from harm and fully accept their new identity.
In The Hunger Games, Katniss experiences resurrection when she kills Cato as a form of mercy and finds a way for both she and Peeta to maintain their dignity in the face of the Capitol’s demands, ultimately ensuring their survival.
Returning To The Known World
Having achieved their goal and attained some form of peace or satisfaction, the hero crosses the threshold into their known world. This final sequence affirms the necessity of the hero’s journey, showcasing how their quest not only led to their internal transformation but the ultimate safety of those they love.
In some cases, the hero’s return to the known world prompts a realization or radical transformation of its own, forcing the hero to forge a new normal in which to dwell.
Consider the Hobbits’ return to the Shire after the destruction of the One Ring. While Sam’s journey transformed him into a braver version of himself, leading him to ask for Rosie’s hand in marriage, Frodo is too traumatized by his quest to remain in the Shire. Ultimately, he makes a new home for himself by taking a ship west to the Grey Havens.
Isn't the Hero's Journey an epic plot structure?
As evidenced by the examples included in today’s breakdown, the Hero’s Journey can help writers craft incredible speculative fiction stories. However, it’s worth noting that not all stories influenced by the Hero’s Journey fit perfectly into this structure.
The events of The Lord of the Rings better align with the Hero’s Journey when all three books are considered rather than each installment. And while Star Wars: A New Hope does follow the general outline of the Hero’s Journey, some moments do overlap and intersect.
Ultimately, I encourage to view the Hero’s Journey as a tool rather than a strict blueprint.
Structure exists to lend shape and stability to story ideas, but any good structure can and should be tweaked as needed to best fit one’s vision. Apply this structure wisely to your story, and you’ll craft a novel as epic as any of your fantasy and science fiction favorites.
