Do all stories follow the hero’s journey? This question has intrigued writers, filmmakers, and scholars for centuries. Joseph Campbell, a renowned mythologist, proposed the idea that every story follows a universal narrative structure known as the hero’s journey. This journey, also known as the monomyth, is a template for storytelling that has been present in various cultures and time periods. In this article, we will explore the hero’s journey and discuss whether all stories adhere to this structure.
The hero’s journey is often depicted as a circular narrative that begins with the hero’s ordinary world, introduces a call to adventure, and leads to a series of trials and challenges. The hero must leave their familiar surroundings, face their fears, and ultimately return with newfound wisdom and transformation. This journey is characterized by several key stages, including the call to adventure, the refusal of the call, the meeting with the mentor, the crossing of the first threshold, trials, the approach to the inmost cave, the ordeals, the reward, the return with the elixir, and the return with the Elixir.
Campbell’s theory suggests that the hero’s journey is a universal narrative structure that can be found in myths, legends, and even contemporary stories. For example, the story of Odysseus in Homer’s “The Odyssey” follows the hero’s journey, as he embarks on a long journey to return home after the Trojan War. Similarly, the tale of孙悟空 in “Journey to the West” by Wu Cheng’en can also be seen as a hero’s journey, as the monkey king seeks enlightenment and battles various demons along the way.
However, not all stories strictly adhere to the hero’s journey. Some narratives may lack certain stages or focus on different aspects of the journey. For instance, a story might emphasize the hero’s personal growth without including the traditional mentor or trials. Other stories may blend the hero’s journey with other narrative structures, such as the quest narrative or the tragedy.
Moreover, some critics argue that the hero’s journey is too rigid and may not capture the complexity of real-life experiences. They believe that storytelling is more fluid and can take various forms, making it difficult to classify all stories under a single template.
In conclusion, while the hero’s journey is a powerful narrative structure that has been present in many stories throughout history, not all stories strictly follow this template. The hero’s journey can serve as a useful framework for analyzing and understanding storytelling, but it is important to recognize the diversity and adaptability of narrative forms. As writers and storytellers continue to explore new ways to convey their messages, the hero’s journey may evolve and adapt to fit the ever-changing landscape of storytelling.
