Hero's Journey
Ever notice that every blockbuster movie has the same fundamental pieces? A hero, a journey, some conflicts to muck it all up, a reward, and the hero returning home and everybody applauding his or her swag? Yeah, scholar Joseph Campbell noticed first—in 1949. He wrote The Hero with a Thousand Faces , in which he outlined the 17 stages of a mythological hero's journey.
About half a century later, Christopher Vogler condensed those stages down to 12 in an attempt to show Hollywood how every story ever written should—and, uh, does —follow Campbell's pattern. We're working with those 12 stages, so take a look. (P.S. Want more? We have an entire Online Course devoted to the hero's journey.)
Ordinary World
We see the ordinary world before the Hunger Games begin, and frankly, it stinks. There's fences and wires up everywhere, the TV's all "mandatory viewing this" and "you must comply" that, and Katniss frankly has no use for it at all. She periodically sneaks out of the fence to go hunting in the woods; it's the only time she feels at peace or contented. Both she and Panem are pretty complacent when we find them. Time to do a little shaking up.
Call To Adventure
It's not hard to see the call coming. Effie Trinket and the selection ceremony for the Hunger Games start Katniss off on her perilous adventure. In true Campbellian fashion, she's not doing it for herself but to protect the people she's leaving behind. In this case, it's her sister Prim, who's been selected as Tribute and who Katniss will do anything to keep safe.
It's also interesting to note that in many ways, this call to adventure is just business as usual: there've been 73 of these things before now, after all, and everyone's more or less become used to them. The only difference is that Katniss volunteers, something that hasn't happened in District 12 before. It's a signal that this time, things aren't going to go entirely as planned.
Refusal of The Call
We can't say too much here because of spoilers for future Hunger Games adaptations, but as far as this story is concerned, ain't no refusal going on. Katniss steps up when the call is given and terrifying as the Games may be, she's not going back.
Meeting The Mentor
Modern girls don't have to settle for just one mentor. In the future, they get a whole team. The big kahuna is Haymitch, who may be drunk as a skunk, but certainly understands the politics involved, as well as the things Katniss needs to do to succeed in the Games. She gets a back-up mentor in Cinna, and even Effie and her team help out when they need to. Team Katniss is armed and fabulous. Believe it or not, they may give her everything she needs to survive.
Crossing the Threshold
You might think that crossing the threshold starts when Katniss enters the arena. But it actually takes place much earlier than that—as soon as Katniss is pulled off of the stage and starts her journey to the Capitol. It has all of the hallmarks of a classic fairy tale: a speedy means of moving (the train), magic food and goodies on the way, and even a surly drunk for entertainment.
Tests, Allies, Enemies
The tests take place before the Hunger Games start. In the Capitol as Katniss has to earn attention, gain sponsors and keep from being blinded by the dazzling teeth of Caesar Flickerman. Her guides and mentors offering sound advice, and she gets a boost from allies like Peeta and her new buddy Rue. We recognize the Careers as enemies before things even get going in the arena.
Approach to The Inmost Cave
The innermost cave is most definitely the Games themselves: an enclosed arena from which there's no escape.
Mutant wasps, evil Careers, poisonous berries, fire—you name it, and the arena has it, ready to push Katniss to the limit before she finally earns victory.
Reward (Seizing The Sword)
The reward comes when Cato is finally eaten alive, leaving Katniss and Peeta alone in the arena. They're both saved by the virtue of an eleventh-hour rules change letting them claim victory together instead of butchering each other for the pleasure of a live audience. Except….
The Road Back
The Capitol changes the rules again after they've won, forcing them to choose who gets to live. That's dirty pool, and it marks just one of a number of very bad tactical decisions on the Capitol's part.
Resurrection
Katniss and Peeta still have one trick up their sleeve. They can both eat the poison berries, denying the Capitol the sight of them killing each other; it could them into martyrs to a potential revolution. They mean it, and the Capitol backs down in the face of their self-sacrifice/blackmail.
Return With The Elixir
Peeta and Katniss survive, and now get to enjoy their reward: a life of privilege and luxury for as long as they refrain from drinking themselves to death. But in truth, the elixir is a lot more than that. By defying the Capitol and earning status as a beloved celebrity in the process, Katniss now becomes an example to stir the people's hearts. Do we sense a revolution brewing? The elixir might be that thing that Snow fears is dangerous in large doses: hope.
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W hy's T his F unny?
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The Hero's Journey: The Hunger Games. The Ordinary World. This step of the hero's journey is about where the came from. Katniss' ordinary world is district 12, the coal district so more people are dirty and covered in coal dust. She feels the most normal when she's hunting with Gale.
A Depiction of the Hero's Journey. Every hero that embarks on the Hero's Journey has someone to guide them along, and typically it's the person that gives them the call to action. Haymitch was a Hunger Games victor from a previous year, and is assigned to be her mentor before she has to enter the arena to fight.
Now Katniss, victor of the 74th Hungers Games has to continue her love for Peeta and show the whole world she didn't try to kill them both. Mastering the ability to hide this secret from the world and living with her family in peace for now.
Get all the details on The Hunger Games: Hero's Journey. Description, analysis, and more, so you can understand the ins and outs of The Hunger Games.
Study the elements of Hero's Journey; includes stages 1-12 & extra key terms related to the journey. The hero's journey begins where life is familiar and comfortable for the characters. The call to adventure is where the hero is invited into an adventure.
This new life gives Katniss' family a new found sense of peace in one area of their life. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like the ordinary world, the call to adventure, refusal of call and more.
The Hero's Journey in The Hunger Games. I read this book some time ago, and I wondered if it used the Hero's Journey. Here is how the book fits the Hero's Journey: Ordinary world: Katniss is living in District 12 with her mom and sister. Katniss hunts so that their family has enough to eat.
The Rebellion has started again and President Snow has a reason to go after Katniss. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The Ordinary World, The Call To Adventure, Refusal Of The Call and more.
A cheche yet powerful tool has broken the way we write stories. The so-called ‘The Hero’s Journey’ has influenced countless well-known films and directors. For instance, the film ‘The Hunger Games’ directed by Gary Ross has set the hero – Katniss Everdeen – to follow this journey.
Hero's Journey- The Hunger Games. Supernatural Aid. Acceptance of the Call. Katniss received a special gift from Prim: the mockingjay pin that Katniss had given Prim earlier. The purpose of this pin was to protect Prim from any harm that might come her way, but Prim gave it back to Katniss for her to stay safe during the Hunger Games.