The Hero's Journey Flashcards

Grade 9 · English · Flashcards

Key stages and terms of Campbell's Monomyth for 9th grade English.

Flashcards

Monomyth: Joseph Campbell's term for the universal hero story pattern found across cultures
Ordinary World: The hero's familiar life before the adventure disrupts it
Call to Adventure: The event or challenge that draws the hero into the unknown
Refusal of the Call: The hero's initial hesitation or fear before accepting the journey
Meeting the Mentor: The hero encounters a wise guide who gives them tools, training, or encouragement
Crossing the Threshold: The hero commits and enters the unfamiliar adventure world — no turning back
Tests, Allies, Enemies: The middle stage where the hero faces obstacles and discovers who can be trusted
Supreme Ordeal: The hero's darkest crisis — often life-threatening — that forces transformation
Seizing the Reward: The hero claims what the journey was for: a treasure, knowledge, or power
The Road Back: The hero begins returning to the ordinary world but must complete the journey
Resurrection: A final purification or test that confirms the hero's complete transformation
Return with the Elixir: The hero arrives home carrying a gift — wisdom, freedom, or treasure — that benefits others