Opening paragraph:

Meaningful title
So what? test  or Have you given the reader a reason to care?
Italicize 1984
Mention author and title before mentioning characters

Think of all the movies and books you have read, and ask yourself what makes a good heroic tale? List at least three elements.

Was Winston or Julia a hero? Why or why not?

Pick a movie you know well that has a hero: Hunger Games, Avatar, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Wizard of OZ,  "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself" -- Joseph Campbell

The usual hero is someone: from whom something has been taken who feels something is lacking from the normal experiences available or permitted to the members of his society

The Hero’s Journey/Adventure:   The Call to Adventure: Some heroes set out responsibly and intentionally to perform the deed prescribed by the journey. Other heroes are thrown into the adventure.  There are still other heroes who initially refuse the call to adventure, but eventually change their minds (if they didn't, there wouldn't be a story). No matter why the journey was undertaken, the hero is always prepared for the trials he faces. The hero takes off on a series of adventures beyond the ordinary, either to recover what has been lost or to discover some life-giving idea/potion/remedy.  The journey is a cycle of going and returning.  The hero must move beyond known, conventional safety in order to undertake this journey.   Supernatural Aid: Although the hero is ultimately the one who must face the challenges, he/she generally does not do so alone. In most stories, the hero will have a guide, someone who is wise in the ways of the world, and someone who will offer the hero guidance and wisdom as he/she progresses through the journey. In addition to the guide, the hero will often have some kind of a talisman, some symbolic item that offers power or strength to the hero.  Most heroes also have companions on their journey. The companions can serve a variety of functions. They may offer balance for the hero, they may help the hero in battle, they may help the hero learn valuable lessons.  Crossing the Threshold: Early on in the journey, the hero will leave the world he/she has always known. The hero will leave what is familiar and venture into the unknown. As the hero leaves his/her familiar world, the hero will cross a threshold. Sometimes this is simply symbolic, but other times there will be some kind of physical barrier that the hero must get through. Threshold Guardians are those who would prevent those who are not ready for the journey from beginning. They may try to prevent the hero from leaving, or they may try to prevent the hero from entering into the new realm. Whatever side they are on, they will not let anyone pass who is not up to the task at hand, The Initiation/The Road of Trials: The hero must prove to be worthy of hero status, and to prove this the hero will face a series of challenges or trials while on the journey. The trials fall into two main categories. Two types of hero deeds: 1.  The Physical Deed/external battles: The hero performs a courageous act in battle or saves lives. 2.  The Spiritual Deed/psychological/internal battles: The hero learns to experience the supernormal range of human spiritual life and then comes back with a message. The trials the hero faces are designed to see if the intending hero should really be a hero.  Is he really a match for the task?  Can he overcome the dangers?  Does he have the courage, the knowledge, the capacity to enable him to serve?  In addition, the hero learns something about his own character through his adventures.   There are several different challenges the hero might face: Brother Battle: Many heroes find themselves locked in battle, either physical or psychological with someone who is a "brother" whether a blood relation or a symbolic brother.  Dragon Battle: Some heroes will battle literal dragons guarding their treasure, but other heroes will battle their inner dragons, the doubts and fears they have about their own ability. Whether literal or figurative, the dragons must be slain in order for the hero to complete the journey. Abduction / Sea Journey / Night Journey: Often in the hero's journey, either the hero or someone close to the hero will be abducted and taken away. As the hero is transported elsewhere, or as the hero chases after the captors, the journey may take the hero over the sea or on a long night journey. Even if there is no abduction involved, most hero's are traveling great distances, so a sea journey or night journey is not uncommon. Entering the Belly of the Whale: This is a reference to the story of Jonah and the Whale. When the hero is drawn deep into the journey and must face his/her greatest fear or the greatest evil, the hero is in the belly of the whale. For some heroes, they are literally in the belly of the whale, like Pinocchio, but for most this is symbolic. Meeting with the Goddess: Many heroes will meet a woman of great power while on the journey. The Goddess may offer the hero wisdom, or she may offer a supernatural aid that will assist the hero has he/she faces the greatest challenges on the journey. Sacred Marriage: The hero will often have a special connection with one character in the story, and this connection can serve as a motivation to the hero to continue the journey when all else seems hopeless. Sometimes the sacred marriage is literally a marriage, but often it is a symbolic union of two souls.  Ritual Death or Dismemberment: In order for the hero to be transformed, he/she must give up his/her old life. Many times this is done through a symbolic death. In other stories, the hero will lose a limb, which will signify the loss of the old self.  Atonement with Father: Many hero's have been separated from their fathers or do not know their fathers. The "father quest" is one motivation for a hero to begin the journey. One easy way to remember "atonement" is to think "at one," when the hero is "at one" with the father or the father figure. This often comes at the end of the hero's journey and is the stepping stone that helps the hero take his/her rightful place as leader in the society. Apotheosis: This literally means the elevation of a person to the rank of a god or the glorification of a person as an ideal. After completing the difficult challenges, the hero is idealized or worshipped in some way. Ultimate Boon or Magic Elixir: When the hero set out on the journey, it was because there was some problem. The Ultimate Boon or Magic Elixir is the solution to the problem. The hero is able, through brave deeds to procure this magic remedy and to solve the problem. The Return: The hero's journey is a cycle that include a going and a return. However, the return is not always each. There still may be some challenges. Refusal of Return: Sometimes the hero is content in the new world and does not want return to the old world. However, if the hero is to reach his/her destiny and take his/her place as leader, there must be a return. Rescue from Without: As the hero tries to return the hero may find him/herself in a difficult situation that looks like the end of the hero's quest. Just when things look bleak, someone come to rescue the hero so he/she can finish the journey. Magic Flight / Pursuit: Sometimes the hero wants to return home, but there are forces that would like to prevent him/her from doing that.  Crossing the Return Threshold: While usually not as involved as crossing the initial threshold, the hero must still return to the old familiar world. Master of Two Worlds: As the hero completes the challenges, the hero's bravery is noted by those around. As a result, the hero is often looked up to in the new world as well as in the old world. There are times when the hero returns to the old world and his/her message is unheard (especially if it is not what the society was expecting) or the achievements unrecognized. In this case, the hero may die or be killed, or sometimes returns to the other world. Freedom to Live: If the hero is successful on the journey, and if the hero is accepted back into the old world, the hero will have the freedom to live. Such heroes are generally great leaders of their people.

Movie:
Separation
Call to Adventure: How does the character receive the call to adventure?
Refusal of the Call: Does the character accept the call immediately?
Answering the Call: What motivates the character to accept the call?
Supernatural Aid
Guide/Mentor: Is there a specific character who helps the hero understand the life situation or provides the hero with special training?
Talisman: Is there a particular item that has special significance to the hero?
Companions: Who is with the hero on his journey? How do these companions help the hero face the challenges?
Crossing the Threshold: At what point in the story does the hero leave the familiar world and move into a new, unfamiliar circumstance?
Threshold Guardians: Are there characters that try to prevent the hero from crossing over into the unfamiliar territory or circumstance?
Initiation / Road of Trials: What specific challenges does the hero face?
Brother Battle: Does the hero battle physically or mentally with someone who is a relative or close friend?
Meeting with the Goddess: Does the hero meet with a character with special beauty and power?
Abduction:  Is the character kidnapped, or is someone close to the hero kidnapped?
Night or Sea Journey: Where do the hero’s travels take him?
Dragon Battle: Does the hero battle some kind of monster? Does the hero have to face some inner demon?
Ritual Death or Dismemberment: Is the hero injured and thought to be dead? Does the hero mistakenly believe someone close to him is dead? Does the hero suffer an injury in which he loses a limb or use of some other ody part?
Sacred Marriage: Does the hero have a special emotional bond (it could literally be a marriage) with another character?
Atonement (“at one with”) with or Recognition by the Father: Is the hero reunited with his father in some way?
Entering the Belly of the Whale: Is there some point in the story where the hero must face his deepest fear or the darkest evil in the story?
Apotheosis (Deification): Is there a point in the story where the hero is held up as an ideal or where the hero is worshipped as a god?
Ultimate Boon / Magic Elixir: Does the hero find some special solution to the problem he is attempting to resolve? This might be a magic potion or a key to something.
The Return
Refusal of the Return: Does the hero initially refuse to return to the homeland or the place that he began the journey?
Magic Flight / Pursuit: Is there some point (generally toward the end) where the hero is being chased or is otherwise trying to escape something?
Rescue from Without: Is there so point in the movie, when all seems hopeless, when it looks like the hero is going to die, then suddenly he is rescued unexpectedly?
Crossing the Return Threshold: Is there some point where the hero clearly returns “home”?
Master of Two Worlds: Does it appear that the hero has conquered life in both the familiar and unfamiliar worlds?
Freedom to Live: Since the hero typically begins the journey to resolve a problem, does it appear the problem is at last resolved so that all can live freely?