Christopher Vogler – The Hero’s Journey


1.Ordinary World The hero's normal world before the story begins
2.Call to Adventure - The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure to undertake
3.Refusal of the Call - The hero refuses the challenge or journey, usually out of fear
4.Meeting with the Mentor - The hero meets a mentor to gain confidence, advice or training to face the adventure
5.Crossing the First Threshold - The hero crosses the gateway that separates the ordinary world from the special world
6.Tests, Allies, Enemies - The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies & learn the rules of the Special World.
7.Approach - The hero has hit setbacks during tests & may need to reorganize his helpers or rekindle morale with mentor's rally cry. Stakes heightened.
8.Ordeal - The biggest life or death crisis – the hero faces his greatest fear & only through “death” can the hero be “reborn” experiencing even greater powers to see the journey to the end.
9.Reward - The hero has survived death, overcome his greatest fear and now earns the reward he sought.
10.The Road Back - The hero must recommit to completing the journey & travel the road back to the Ordinary World. The dramatic question is asked again.
11.Resurrection - Hero faces most dangerous meeting with death – this shows the hero can apply all the wisdom he's brought back to the Ordinary World
12.Return with Elixir - The hero returns from the journey with the “elixir”, so everyone in the world can use to heal physical or emotional wounds.