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Student Hero's Journey Essays
These two short essays were written in about 40 minutes as
part of a final exam. They are both rough, as will be the case with first-draft
writing, especially with ninth graders. What is interesting about them is
the insight the students show into the nature of the hero�s journey. They
are beginning to understand the nuances of the quest, such as how our challenges
always match our needs and how our journeys are always linked with the journeys
of others.
Analysis of the Hero�s Journey
From the film "Hook"
by Shannon Jolly, ninth grade,
Vintage High School, Napa, California
The character I have chosen to discuss for my essay is Peter Banning
from the movie "Hook." Peter changed very dramatically in his journey
and it was interesting because for his journey, he had to go back to his
past, which he had forgotten.
Peter Banning�s call was when he discovered his kids were missing.
He was very unwilling to go into the journey but he knew he had to go
to get his kids back. Leaving London to go to Never Never Land with Tinkerbell
was his threshold because he was leaving the known and going into the
unknown with Tinkerbell as his threshold guardian.
Peter had to face many challenges in Never Never Land before he reached
his abyss. He had to believe in himself and try to remember his past so
he could remember who he really was. He had helpers such as Tinkerbell
and the Lost Boys, but to figure out that he was Peter Pan was something
he did alone. That was probably one of his greatest challenges.
After his challenges, he was ready for his abyss, which was to face
Captain Hook and his kids to get his kids back. He had to regain his kids
trust and by doing that he had to show them that he had changed and would
be willing to do anything to get them back, even if it meant facing his
greatest fears such as flying.
After his Abyss he was definitely a new person. He had shown his kids
that he had left his old self behind and was ready to be the father that
he was supposed to be. When he returned, his journey was complete.
His changes were dramatic and the rebirth of his new self was definitely
obvious. I think the part in the story where his family realized his changes
was when Peter threw his phone out of the window.
This story was a great example of someone going through a hero�s journey.
Terrence Mann: "Field of Dreams"
Analysis of the Hero�s Journey
by Katie Welsh, ninth grade,
Vintage High School, Napa, California
In the movie "Field of Dreams" Terrence Mann goes on a journey and
grows a lot. Terrance was called on his journey when Ray came and asked
him to come to a baseball game. I think that people get their call and
choose to take it or not. If they don�t I think that later in life they
will get called for the same reason again.
Terrence was called when Ray came to his apartment. I think his threshold
was when he put down the crowbar because he was beginning to open up to
Ray and listen.
He was challenged when he told Ray that he saw what the scoreboard
said because I don�t think he wanted to believe that. He didn�t want to
go on his journey at first. His abyss was when he saw the baseball players
because he realized his journey was real and he needed to change.
I think his revelation was when he was asked to go into the corn because
he felt that his journey wasn�t just about him and he wanted to share
with others how he grew. Also, I think that he realized he needed to write
for others.
A lot of things you do on your journey aren�t just for you. They are
for others, too! I think his transformation was when he realized that
he needed to write for others and help them grow like he did and that
they can�t always think for themselves.
I think that he might have realized this because he needed help on
his journey, just like others need help, too. His return was when he said
he would write about it when he got back because then he will be using
something from his journey in his life.
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