Taking inspiration from classic tales can help you to make sense of your experiences and celebrate your strengths
Stories are everywhere – in the books you read, the films you watch, and the conversations you have. Your own life is made up of countless tales – your experiences and memories – but have you ever considered using a storytelling structure as a tool for understanding yourself?
The structure of myths is particularly useful in this respect, which is why it’s the basis of so many well-known stories, both old and new. From the Bible to Greek and Celtic myths, Hansel and Gretel to Cinderella and Harry Potter, there’s a recognisable pattern that can help you understand and learn from your own experiences.
In fact, the pattern is so clearly identifiable that American author Joseph Campbell named it ‘the hero’s journey’. The hero can be any gender and the details can vary wildly, but the structure (see overleaf) remains essentially the same: a character grows through the process of accepting a challenge or embarking on an adventure.
And one of the most exciting things is that you can also make yourself the hero of your own story by applying this structure to an element of your life.
Mythologising your experiences, with you as the central character, can help you recognise challenges and achievements as important parts of your life story. It can also help you see how they contribute to your personal growth – and that’s part of your story, too.
A GUIDE TO WRITING YOUR OWN HERO’S JOURNEY
Following Joseph Campbell’s lead, here’s how the hero’s journey can be broken down into five sections
1. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE
This is where something happens to threaten the hero’s normal life, presenting them with a challenge that they have to take on, even if at first they resist it. For instance, in the film Shrek, the ogre is happy living in his swamp but his life is disrupted when all the fairytale creatures are sent there by Lord Farquaad. In order to get his swamp back for himself, Shrek has to rescue Princess Fiona. In the movie Encanto, the call to action comes when Mirabel has a vision that her family’s ancestral magic is fading – witnessing the enchanted candle sputtering and their beloved Casita forming cracks.
2. THE CROSSING OF THE THRESHOLD
At this point, the hero leaves one environment and enters another. Alice tumbles down the rabbit hole in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Jane Eyre accepts a job as a governess and travels to Thornfield Hall. Greek mythical king Theseus ventures into the labyrinth to slay the Minotaur. Of course, Lucy enters the wintry world of Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Sometimes the threshold can be more symbolic than an actual, physical environment. It might be a change of appearance, like when Cinderella is transformed for the ball. This point on the journey represents a change, and the understanding that the hero’s life will never be quite the same again.
3. THE TESTS OF WILL AND ABILITIES
Whether just one test or a series of them, this stage of the hero’s journey sees their courage and endurance challenged by setbacks, obstacles, monsters, or enemies. For instance, when Harry Potter arrives at Hogwarts, he finds an enemy in Draco Malfoy – a feud that lasts throughout the entire series. Harry and Ron have to tackle a troll to save Hermione, Harry’s frequently in trouble with Snape, and Quirrell puts a broom-jinxing spell on his first ever game of Quidditch. These challenges help characters to develop and grow in confidence and, crucially, they don’t always come out on top. The hero’s mistakes are just as vital as their victories to their resilience and learning.
4. THE ULTIMATE TEST AND ITS REWARD
This is often shown as a battle, with a tangible prize at its end. It’s the part of the journey where everything that the hero has endured so far helps them to face a final challenge. In The Lion King, Simba overcomes his uncle and becomes the rightful king. In Arthurian legend, King Arthur and his knights are challenged by enemies such as Morgan le Fay before they’re able to find the Holy Grail.
5. THE RETURN
The final stage sees the hero leave the other world to return home, but as a changed person, with the addition of the rewards that have been gained on the journey. These hard-won prizes improve the lives of others, as well as their own. Hansel and Gretel go back to their father with the witch’s treasure and no longer need to live in poverty. In The Magician’s Nephew, one of The Chronicles of Narnia, Digory makes it back home with the potion that will cure his mother’s illness. Finally, in Frozen, Elsa is reunited with Anna and, having learnt to use her power positively, brings back summer to Arendelle.
BE YOUR OWN HERO
Think of a life challenge you’ve experienced and write a story about it, following the steps above. Be as creative as you like: a vast exam hall could be a dark cave, or a rival sports team could be a swarm of bees. Turning your story into a myth will help to gain a different perspective on the obstacles you’ve overcome, identify your own strengths, and enable you to feel proud of what you’ve achieved.
This story was originally published in Teen Breathe Issue 33 (page 33) with the title: Me, myth, magic
