how does the hero's journey drive a story?

Module summary:

• Read "Stages and Archetypes of the Hero's Journey"
• Test stages and archetypes by watching "A Streetcar Named Marge"
• Choose a movie for 'close watching' analysis:
  • Pride and Prejudice
  • The Truman Show
  • Ocean's Eleven
  • Big
• Analyze movie with a blog post

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essential questions

• What is the hero's journey?
• How do we read a text closely for comprehension?
• Why is an argument stronger when we integrate multiple sources for support?
• Why is it important for us to be critical of our own writing?

goals

• Students will understand that the hero's journey is a technique followed by many types of stories, in which a person sets out on a journey to conquer a challenge (external or internal)
• Students will understand that "close reading" of a text involves intentional preparation, annotations, and multiple readings
• ​Students will understand that integrating multiple sources enriches an argument by making connections on multiple levels
• Students will understand that proofreading carefully allows one to catch small error's, which, besides ultimately saving the time of the student and teacher, improves your attention to detail and allows you to present yourself more professionally. [Incidentally, did you catch the error in that sentence?]

c-tachs

Reading: 

• Read and comprehend complex literature and informational text independently, accurately and for deep understanding
• ​Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media and formats in order to address a question or solve a problem

Writing

• Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence

Language

• Demonstrate command of conventions of standard English grammar when speaking and writing
• Demonstrate command of standard capitalization and punctuation
• Spell correctly

activities

Monday: Orange Splot / Close Reading Strategies / Hero's Journey article / Marge Simpson
Tuesday: Movie [chosen by group] / Identifying hero's journey elements
Wednesday: Essay planning and development / Rough draft
Thursday: Rough draft / Revisions as needed
Friday: Wrap up

movie and question options

Pride and Prejudice

• Does Lizzy's eventual marriage ruin her hero's journey?
• Who has the stronger hero's journey: Elizabeth or Mr. Darcy?

The Truman Show

• Does Christof help or hurt Truman's hero's journey?
• What stages are the most significant turning points in Truman's journey?

Ocean's Eleven

• Is a hero's journey justifiable when it causes harm to others?
• Which character/archetype is most significant in Danny Ocean's journey?

resources

Hero's Journey Syllabus
File Size:	50 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Stages of the Hero's Journey
File Size:	101 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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