Stage Twelve: Return with the Elixir

The hero’s journey is complete, and he or she has returned with the elixir. But what is the elixir? Read on to find out!

Stage Eleven: Resurrection, Part 1

At the very threshold of the Ordinary World, the hero must face death and resurrection once again. Why? Read on to see how Neo, Frodo, Harry Potter, Superman demonstrate the answer.

Stage Ten: The Road Back

Vacations, sunsets, great books, delicious meals: we’re told that all good things must come to an end. For the hero, even the Special World of the adventure must come to a close eventually. But how does the hero return home? Via the Road Back.

Stage Eight: The Ordeal

What do Gandalf, the Blue Ranger, and Jesus have in common? Before you tie me to a stake as a heretic, read on to find the answer! The eighth stage of the Hero’s Journey is that of The Ordeal, and this post delves into the significance of death and resurrection in literature and life. Read it all; you won’t regret it.

Stage Seven: Approach to the Inmost Cave

At the heart of every adventure lies an ultimate battle—for good, for gold, or even for glory. But in order to reach that battle, the hero must first undergo the Approach to the Inmost Cave.

Stage Six: Tests, Allies, and Enemies

Who shot first: Han or Greedo? Whether you have a strong opinion or couldn’t care less, that question probably still conjured up images of the cantina scene on Mos Eisley, didn’t it? This scene from Star Wars: A New Hope is a classic example of the “watering hole” scene in many adventure stories, and it’s a great introduction to Stage Six of the Hero’s Journey: Tests, Allies, and Enemies.

Stage Four: Meeting with the Mentor

Master and apprentice. Jedi and Padawan. Executive chef and sous chef. Store manager and shelf stocker. As you can see, the world is full of Mentors. Read on to discover the requirements of and alternatives to this important character!