I regret that I never got to take a class from the amazing Joseph Campbell.
His hero journey is my "go to" structure when I plot a story.
If you're not familiar with this template - think Luke Skywalker.
Ordinary chap finds he has a special gift - the force.
Wise mentor, Obi Wan, sends him on a quest - save the princess (really to embrace his Jedi-ness)
Ordeals are faced - Star Wars Episodes 4 through 6 - culminating in a supreme ordeal - Luke defeats Emperor Palpatine and redeems Vader.
Return home - or Ewok Village where the spirits of Luke's past rock out to the "Lub Nub" song.
Graphics for my fellow chart folks:
I was delighted to discover the Power of Myths Programs. This is a series of discussions between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell on a myriad of topics including the hero journey, ritual, and mythology.
“Mythology to him (Campbell) was the song of the universe, music so deeply embedded in our collective unconscious that we dance to it even when we can’t name the tune.”
Bill Moyers
"Artists are the myth-makers of today." Joseph Campbell
TAKE AWAY:
Campbell’s mythic journey template continues to be an invaluable tool for creating story structure.
Joseph Campbell will forever be my Obi Wan Kenobi.
