The Hero's Quest: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Swanton 1
Jane Swanton Wills Honors English 10 17 Apr. 2013
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe “All stories consist of a few common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams and movies” stated screenwriter Christopher Volger (“The Writers Journey”). The traditional hero quest plotline is seen anywhere from old Greek myths to the blockbuster films of today. All hero quests have the same set of steps; some are harder to define then others. The steps of the hero quest include; the call, the threshold, the descent, trials and ordeals, the abyss, transformation, atonement and finally the return. The call is the first step in a traditional hero quest. The Call invites the Initiate into the adventure (Thompson and Harris). Before the call the Initiate has no intention of being called to something bigger. The Initiate may feel that something is missing in life, and during the call the Initiate may refuse it; eventually to revoke that decision and go to the world of adventure (Thompson and Harris). The threshold is the point when the Initiate leaves the known to enter the unknown. It is the “jumping off point” between everyday life and adventure (Thompson and Harris). The Initiate may go unwillingly or willingly to adventure. This is also the step where the Initiate may inherit or find a mentor. The descent is not literally descending into something, but going deeper and deeper into the unknown (Thompson and Harris).
Jane Swanton Wills Honors English 10 17 Apr. 2013
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe “All stories consist of a few common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams and movies” stated screenwriter Christopher Volger (“The Writers Journey”). The traditional hero quest plotline is seen anywhere from old Greek myths to the blockbuster films of today. All hero quests have the same set of steps; some are harder to define then others. The steps of the hero quest include; the call, the threshold, the descent, trials and ordeals, the abyss, transformation, atonement and finally the return. The call is the first step in a traditional hero quest. The Call invites the Initiate into the adventure (Thompson and Harris). Before the call the Initiate has no intention of being called to something bigger. The Initiate may feel that something is missing in life, and during the call the Initiate may refuse it; eventually to revoke that decision and go to the world of adventure (Thompson and Harris). The threshold is the point when the Initiate leaves the known to enter the unknown. It is the “jumping off point” between everyday life and adventure (Thompson and Harris). The Initiate may go unwillingly or willingly to adventure. This is also the step where the Initiate may inherit or find a mentor. The descent is not literally descending into something, but going deeper and deeper into the unknown (Thompson and Harris).
Cited: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Dir. Andrew Adamson. Walt Disney, 2006. “The Myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.” Greek Myths Greek Mythology. Greek Myths and Greek Mythology, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. Thompson, S., and R. Harris. “The Hero(ine)ʼs Journey in Life and Literature.” California Association of Teachers of English. 1992. Vogler, Christopher. The Writer 's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. Studio City, CA: M. Wiese Productions, 1998. Print.