“Ok, enough about polarization. Got anything else?”
Leave it to a friend to let you know when you’ve beaten a dead horse.
Fine, I went to see Wicked last weekend with my daughter, wife, and another 50 or so theater kids.
As is tradition, I leaned over during the show to share my profound wisdom whispering, “You know this is basically Star Wars, but with brooms. Harry Potter, but with brooms.” My daughter, naturally, rolled her eyes. (To be fair, she rolls her eyes at me constantly, but I could actually hear it this time—even in the dark.)
Let me explain.
The Hero’s Journey
When I teach Advanced Campaign Strategies and Paid Media at the University of Florida, I include a module on the Hero’s Journey. My students, having not signed up for a literature class, often tilt their heads at me like confused puppies. But once they see how it applies, they understand its relevance to politics and public affairs.
The Hero’s Journey is one of the most enduring and versatile narrative structures in storytelling. It serves as a blueprint for understanding stories that transcend culture, geography, and time.
And because of that, in my opinion, it’s essential for any public affairs, government relations, or political operative to understand its power.
Why Study the Hero’s Journey?
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- Cultural Universality: From The Odyssey to Wicked, this framework reveals the shared storytelling traditions of humanity. It underscores the innate human need to explore transformation and meaning through narrative.
- Psychological Depth: Rooted in Jungian archetypes, the Hero’s Journey resonates with individual psychological growth, presenting challenges as metaphors for personal struggles.
- Adaptability: It applies to virtually any story—literature, film, or personal narratives—making it an invaluable tool for creators and analysts alike.
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The Basic Structure of the Hero’s Journey
The Hero’s Journey unfolds in three acts, each encompassing key stages:
ACT 1: Departure: The hero leaves the ordinary world, guided by a mentor, and steps into the unknown.
ACT 2: Initiation: They face tests, allies, and enemies, culminating in a transformative ordeal.
ACT 3: Return: The hero comes back, bringing newfound wisdom or an “elixir” to benefit their community.
The Hero’s Journey: A Refined Structure
The three main acts can be broken down further using Joseph Campbell’s monomyth outline, a universal framework for storytelling, structured around the hero’s transformation. Below is an expanded explanation of its 12 stages:
ACT 1: Departure
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- Ordinary World: The mundane life the hero begins in.
- Call to Adventure: A challenge disrupts their ordinary life.
- Refusal of the Call: The hero resists due to fear or doubt.
- Meeting the Mentor: Guidance from a mentor prepares them for the journey.
- Crossing the Threshold: The hero steps into the unknown.
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ACT 2: Initiation
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- Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero faces challenges and builds alliances.
- Approach to the Inmost Cave: They confront deep fears or conflicts.
- Ordeal: A life-or-death trial leads to transformation.
- Reward (Seizing the Sword): The hero gains knowledge, power, or treasure.
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ACT 3: Return
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- The Road Back: The hero returns, facing residual dangers.
- Resurrection: A final test solidifies their transformation.
- Return with the Elixir: The hero brings back something to benefit their world.
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That’s it. That is most of Hollywood explained. The challenge is once you learn the structure of the Hero’s Journey, you start understanding how ubiquitous it is. It is everywhere.
For example, here’s a breakdown with Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Wicked:
A Hero’s Journey: light sabers, magic wands, and flying brooms.
Hero’s Journey Stage |
| Ordinary World |
| Call to Adventure |
| Refusal of the Call |
| Meeting the Mentor |
| Crossing the Threshold |
| Tests, Allies, and Enemies |
| Approach to the Inmost Cave |
| Ordeal |
| Reward (Seizing the Sword) |
| The Road Back |
| Resurrection |
| Return with the Elixir |
Star Wars (Luke Skywalker) |
| Tatooine, working on a moisture farm. |
| Message from Princess Leia via R2-D2. |
| Hesitates due to family obligations. |
| Obi-Wan Kenobi. |
| Leaves Tatooine after family is killed. |
| Joins forces with Han Solo, Leia, and others; faces Darth Vader. |
| Sneaks into the Death Star to rescue Leia. |
| Confronts Vader and the Empire. |
| Destroys the Death Star. |
| Returns to the Rebel base as a hero. |
| Emerges as a leader of the Rebellion. |
| Joins the fight to restore balance to the galaxy. (setting up the sequal to come) |
Harry Potter (Harry Potter) |
| Living in the cupboard under the stairs. |
| Receiving his Hogwarts letter. |
| Initially unsure how to navigate his new world. |
| Hagrid and later Dumbledore. |
| Boards the train to Hogwarts. |
| Befriends Ron and Hermione; faces Malfoy and Snape. |
| Faces challenges in the Forbidden Forest. |
| Battles Quirrell/Voldemort for the Philosopher’s Stone. |
| Saves the Stone and secures peace at Hogwarts. |
| Faces the prospect of another year at Hogwarts with new challenges. |
| Learns to overcome self-doubt. |
| Brings hope and inspiration to his friends and peers. (setting up the sequal to come) |
Wicked (Elphaba) |
| Growing up as an outcast in Munchkinland. |
| Invited to attend Shiz University. |
| Doubts her ability to fit in at Shiz. |
| Madame Morrible and Glinda. |
| Arrives at Shiz and begins magical studies. |
| Befriends Glinda and Fiyero; faces prejudice and the Wizard. |
| Discovers the Wizard’s corruption. |
| Stands against the Wizard’s oppressive rule. |
| Gains self-acceptance and her powers. |
| Flees to avoid persecution. |
| Fakes her death to achieve freedom. |
| Leaves Oz but transforms Glinda into a leader. (setting up the sequel to come) |
Conclusion
Said, another way, my little trip to see the movie wasn’t an ordinary trip, it was an epic Hero’s Journey.
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- Ordinary World: A typical Saturday, before watching UF rout FSU.
- Call to Adventure: “Dad, you’re coming, right?”
- Refusal of the Call: “Couldn’t I just stay home and smoke some ribs?”
- Meeting the Mentor: My wife, reminding me I’d enjoy it and spending time with my daughter.
- Crossing the Threshold: Boarding the car with excited daugher and said wife.
- Tests, Allies, and Enemies: My daughter’s withering eye-rolls at my whispered commentary.
- Approach to the Inmost Cave: Waiting for Defying Gravity.
- Ordeal: Sitting still for nearly three hours, buttery fingers, singing theatre kids, and hearing the eye rolls.
- Reward: Sharing the joy of a movie/musical with my daughter and wife.
- The Road Back: Riding home, processing the message and trying to sing Popular not knowing any words.
- Resurrection: My daughter admitting (begrudgingly) that my “Star Wars with brooms, Harry Potter with brooms” comment wasn’t entirely wrong.
- Return with the Elixir: A newfound appreciation for musicals and a silver dad medal.
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See? The Hero’s Journey really is everywhere—even when you’re just a dad at a musical before a football game. (in which UF crushed FSU by a score of 31–11!)
All kidding aside, understanding the Hero’s Journey is critical for political professionals. Whether crafting campaign narratives, shaping public perceptions, or building coalitions, the ability to harness this timeless storytelling structure can be the difference between shaping influnce or falling on deaf ears.
PS. Reminder, most of the time, it’s not about the policy, it’s the Vibes.
