A Hero’s Journey By: Andrew Kokanoutranon. This is the hero's home environment where his friends and family are located. The story starts here so that.

A Hero’s Journey

By: Andrew Kokanoutranon

This is the hero's home environment where his friends and family are located. The story starts here so that the separation becomes apparent. This is the land of the "mother" where the hero

feels comfortable.

The Ordinary World

John Miller (Tom Hanks) is a school teacher in a small town located in Indiana. He is in the comfort of his

own home with his wife.

There is an awakening of the "self to an unknown, unexpected world. The hero becomes aware of a new, unusual, exciting, forbidden, and/or foreign world.

The Call to Adventure

John Miller is drafted into the army to fight in Europe. He is able to achieve the rank of captain before being deployed to Omaha Beach.

Provides the hero with something (physical or

mental) which will help the hero move forward in his

adventure. Perhaps a sword to fight the dragon or a confidence boost to help the hero believe in

him/herself.

Supernatural Aid

Captain John Miller’s supernatural aids are his Thomson sub-machine gun, his will to get back

home to his wife, and his squad, whom helps him get past the Germans.

Crossing the Threshold

Captain Miller crosses the

threshold when he lands on Omaha Beach on D-day with his squad

The hero ventures into an unknown

world which breaks tradition, and the hero meets some

dangerous presence.

In the Belly of the Whale Once the hero has

crossed the threshold, his old world is destroyed (literally or figuratively). He moves into a world of darkness (the belly of the whale) and will not come out until he is ready to return (so the hero stays in the belly of the whale through all of initiation).

Often times there will be a "deepest part" to the belly.

Captain Miller is deep in German territory on his mission to rescue Private Ryan with no plans on turning back.

Hero experiences miraculous tests or ordeals on the road of trials. There are usually several incidents that affect the hero at this point. The hero will appear weak and vulnerable, but he will also begin to show growth.

The Roads of Trail

Captain Miller’s journey to find Private Ryan leads him into many fierce gun fights with the Germans.

The Meeting with the Goddess

The hero meets a "goddess" that shows

him/her what perfection is truly like. The hero witnesses all that can be accomplished and often times, his/her

mission becomes much clearer. The goddess

encourages the hero to continue.

Captain Miller meets with a solider that lost his hearing but

manages to tell Captain Miller where

Ryan is at.

The Woman as Temptress

The hero meets a presence that attempts to destroy the hero's mission. Often the temptress is sent by the evil forces working

against the hero in order to try to stop the hero.

Captain Miller is confronted with the temptress when he

loses a few troops in a gun fight with the Germans, he could either continue his current

mission or fall back into ally territory. He chooses to

continue his journey.

Atonement with the Father

Father symbolizes judgment; the hero

overcomes fear, judgment, and mental blocks that may have been holding him/her

back.

Captain Miller finds Private Ryan’s

squad and it gave him courage to hold

off the Germans from the bridge.

Apotheosis

Captain Miller finds the big-picture when he is

in the intense fight with the Germans on the bridge; he yearns for his return to his wife and he will not stop

fighting until he can get it.

Hero recognizes the "big picture" (spiritual understanding can be

known). The hero finally understands why he has been on

his journey. The journey is not over,

but the hero understands what it

takes to return.

The hero receives the prize that he has been after.

The Ultimate Boon

Captain Miller finds Private Ryan and his mission is complete, which means he is able to go back home

The boon may come in the form a

physical rewards (like the dragon's treasure), but will more importantly

include a mental/emotional reward (like inner

peace).

Refusal of Return

The hero should bring their wisdom back to

their kingdom of humanity. The hero often

wishes to remain in isolation with his boon

Captain Miller does not return to his wife, he

decides to stay and fight off the Germans form the

bridge.

The hero has his reward, now he must

return to safety. There may be forces still

working against him (possibly trying to get the treasure back that the hero has taken). A

"chase" ensues.

The Magic in Flight

Captain Miller finds Private Ryan, who is still alive. Captain Miller decides to

stay and fight off the Germans to holds a bridge that is vital to both

sides of the war

The world may have to come to retrieve the

hero. Attaining the boon has drained the hero and he/she needs assistance

in returning

Rescue from Without

U.S. forces come in the nick of time to fend off

the Germans when Captain Miller’s squad was about to lose the

fight.

Master of Two Worlds

Before Captain Miller dies, he realizes that his mission of saving

Private Ryan is complete is complete but he is too critically wounded to live on.

•  Hero has attained wisdom in both the spiritual and

material world (conscious world).

•  The hero gives up completely all attachment to

his personal limitations, hopes and fears.

•  The hero no longer tries to live, but willingly relaxes to

whatever may come to pass in him.

The End