A Hero’s Journey“Elf”

By: Linzy WarkentinBy: Linzy Warkentin

Per. 2Per. 2

Departure (Separation)Departure (Separation)

The Ordinary WorldThe Ordinary World

This is the hero's home This is the hero's home environment where his friends environment where his friends and family are located. The story and family are located. The story starts here so that the separation starts here so that the separation   becomes apparent. This is the   becomes apparent. This is the land of the "mother" where the land of the "mother" where the hero feels comfortable. Note that hero feels comfortable. Note that this does not necessarily have to this does not necessarily have to be a safe environment as long as be a safe environment as long as the hero feels connected to the the hero feels connected to the land/people/surroundings. land/people/surroundings.

Buddy’s Ordinary world is in the Buddy’s Ordinary world is in the North Pole with papa elf and North Pole with papa elf and Santa. He works in Santa’s Santa. He works in Santa’s workshop making toys and getting workshop making toys and getting ready for Christmas. ready for Christmas.

Call to AdventureCall to Adventure

There is an awakening of the There is an awakening of the "self to an unknown, "self to an unknown, unexpected world. The hero unexpected world. The hero becomes aware of a new, becomes aware of a new, unusual, exciting, forbidden, unusual, exciting, forbidden, and/or foreign world. and/or foreign world.

The hero outgrows his old The hero outgrows his old world. The old concepts, world. The old concepts, ideals, and emotional patterns ideals, and emotional patterns no longer fit; the time for no longer fit; the time for passing the threshold passing the threshold Sometimes, chance reveals Sometimes, chance reveals an unexpected world; an unexpected world; therefore, the hero is forced therefore, the hero is forced to leave (which may cause to leave (which may cause some anxiety.) some anxiety.)

Buddy finds out that he is not Buddy finds out that he is not an elf and that he was an elf and that he was adopted by papa elf. He is adopted by papa elf. He is told where is father lives and told where is father lives and how he became to work at how he became to work at the North Pole. the North Pole.

Refusal of the CallRefusal of the Call

Often the hero feels that he/she has it Often the hero feels that he/she has it "too good" and refuses to give up all "too good" and refuses to give up all that they currently have (often that they currently have (often resulting in the hero being forced to resulting in the hero being forced to move on). move on).

The hero doesn't understand that the The hero doesn't understand that the refusal of the call means a refusal to refusal of the call means a refusal to move on in life. move on in life.

The hero views his present system of The hero views his present system of ideals, virtues, goals, and advantages ideals, virtues, goals, and advantages as fixed and secure, or the hero is as fixed and secure, or the hero is waiting for the perfect call. waiting for the perfect call.

Often times the refusal will be Often times the refusal will be encouraged by another character. encouraged by another character. Obviously, the call will eventually be Obviously, the call will eventually be answered but it is important to answered but it is important to recognize all the forces working to recognize all the forces working to keep the character at "status quo." keep the character at "status quo."

There is no refusal of the call in There is no refusal of the call in this movie. this movie.

Supernatural AidSupernatural Aid This can come in the form of a This can come in the form of a

protective figure, usually an elder protective figure, usually an elder (old crone or old man.) (old crone or old man.)

Provides the hero with something Provides the hero with something (physical or mental) which will help (physical or mental) which will help the hero move forward in his the hero move forward in his adventure. Perhaps a sword to fight adventure. Perhaps a sword to fight the dragon or a confidence boost to the dragon or a confidence boost to help the hero believe in him/herself. help the hero believe in him/herself.

Supernatural figures represent a Supernatural figures represent a benign, protecting power of destiny. benign, protecting power of destiny.

Represent the forces of the Represent the forces of the unconscious at the hero's side. unconscious at the hero's side.

Buddy’s supernatural aid could Buddy’s supernatural aid could either be Santa who believes in him, either be Santa who believes in him, or papa elf who told him about his or papa elf who told him about his real father and where he lived. real father and where he lived.

Crossing the ThresholdCrossing the Threshold

The hero ventures into an The hero ventures into an unknown world which breaks unknown world which breaks tradition, and the hero meets tradition, and the hero meets some dangerous presence. some dangerous presence.

The hero encounters a The hero encounters a "threshold guardian" at the "threshold guardian" at the entrance to the zone of entrance to the zone of magnified power. This magnified power. This guardian stands in the way of guardian stands in the way of the hero moving on to the the hero moving on to the next area. next area.

Beyond the entrance to this Beyond the entrance to this zone is darkness, the zone is darkness, the unknown, and danger (desert, unknown, and danger (desert, jungle, deep sea, alien land, jungle, deep sea, alien land, etc.) etc.)

Buddy crosses the threshold Buddy crosses the threshold when he travels threw the 9 when he travels threw the 9 layers of the candy cane forest layers of the candy cane forest and walks through the Lincoln and walks through the Lincoln Tunnel. Tunnel.

In the Belly of the WhaleIn the Belly of the Whale Once the hero has crossed the Once the hero has crossed the

threshold, his old world is destroyed threshold, his old world is destroyed (literally or figuratively). He/she (literally or figuratively). He/she moves into a world of darkness (the moves into a world of darkness (the belly of the whale) and will not come belly of the whale) and will not come out until he/she is ready to return (so out until he/she is ready to return (so the hero stays in the belly of the the hero stays in the belly of the whale through all of initiation). Often whale through all of initiation). Often times there will be a "deepest part" to times there will be a "deepest part" to the belly. the belly.

This stage gets its name from the This stage gets its name from the Jonah story. It is a sphere of rebirth, Jonah story. It is a sphere of rebirth, a realm of darkness; the hero is a realm of darkness; the hero is swallowed into an unknown, womb-swallowed into an unknown, womb-like darkness (representing the like darkness (representing the unconscious). unconscious).

The hero goes inward (into his own The hero goes inward (into his own mind) in order to be "reborn."mind) in order to be "reborn."

When Buddy is wandering When Buddy is wandering around New York City in search around New York City in search of the Empire State Building is of the Empire State Building is the point in the film when he is the point in the film when he is in the belly of the whale. in the belly of the whale.

InitiationInitiation

The Road of TrialsThe Road of Trials Hero experiences miraculous Hero experiences miraculous

tests or ordeals on the road tests or ordeals on the road of trials. There are usually of trials. There are usually several incidents that affect several incidents that affect the hero at this point. The the hero at this point. The hero will appear weak and hero will appear weak and vulnerable, but he/she will vulnerable, but he/she will also begin to show growth. also begin to show growth.

The hero finds parts of The hero finds parts of himself he was unaware of himself he was unaware of and assimilates his and assimilates his unexpected self (psyche). unexpected self (psyche).

The "item" that the The "item" that the supernatural aid has given supernatural aid has given the hero will now start to the hero will now start to become useful. become useful.

Buddy is trying to earn the love of Buddy is trying to earn the love of his father and his family. He is his father and his family. He is also trying to talk to Jovie this also trying to talk to Jovie this beautiful girl he met at Gimbles.beautiful girl he met at Gimbles.

The Meeting with the GoddessThe Meeting with the Goddess

The hero meets a "goddess" The hero meets a "goddess" that shows him/her what that shows him/her what perfection is truly like. The perfection is truly like. The hero witnesses all that can be hero witnesses all that can be accomplished and often accomplished and often times, his/her mission times, his/her mission becomes much clearer. The becomes much clearer. The goddess encourages the hero goddess encourages the hero to continue. to continue.

This goddess may be a This goddess may be a physical person or may be physical person or may be some feminine symbol. some feminine symbol.

Buddy goes on a date with Jovie the Buddy goes on a date with Jovie the girl he met at Gimbles. He takes her girl he met at Gimbles. He takes her to get coffee, run through spinning to get coffee, run through spinning doors, look a Christmas trees, go doors, look a Christmas trees, go ice-skating, and then they kiss. ice-skating, and then they kiss.

The Women as the TemptressThe Women as the Temptress

The hero meets a presence The hero meets a presence that attempts to destroy the that attempts to destroy the hero's mission. Often the hero's mission. Often the temptress is sent by the evil temptress is sent by the evil forces working against the forces working against the hero in order to try to stop the hero in order to try to stop the hero. hero.

The hero is misled into giving The hero is misled into giving up. "This is the easy way out." up. "This is the easy way out." "Stop now or you will be "Stop now or you will be destroyed." "Join us; you will destroyed." "Join us; you will be happy here." be happy here."

There is no women as the There is no women as the temptress in the film who leads temptress in the film who leads Buddy away from what he is Buddy away from what he is trying to get to. trying to get to.

Atonement with the FatherAtonement with the Father Father symbolizes Father symbolizes

judgment; the hero judgment; the hero overcomes fear, overcomes fear, judgment, and mental judgment, and mental blocks that may have blocks that may have been holding him/her been holding him/her back. back.

This stage shows growth This stage shows growth and the ability to take on and the ability to take on adult responsibilities. adult responsibilities.

Movement from the realm Movement from the realm of mother to that of the of mother to that of the father. father.

Buddy helps Santa find his Buddy helps Santa find his engine and bumps into Michael engine and bumps into Michael and his dad and he tells Buddy and his dad and he tells Buddy that he’s sorry and that he really that he’s sorry and that he really loves him. loves him.

ApotheosisApotheosis

The hero is in a divine, god-The hero is in a divine, god-like state (ecstasy). The hero like state (ecstasy). The hero goes beyond the last terrors goes beyond the last terrors of ignorance. of ignorance.

Hero recognizes the Hero recognizes the "big"big picture"picture" (spiritual (spiritual understanding can be understanding can be known). The hero finally known). The hero finally understands why he/she has understands why he/she has been on his/her journey. The been on his/her journey. The journey is not over, but the journey is not over, but the hero understands what it hero understands what it takes to return. takes to return.

The hero becomes free from The hero becomes free from all fear, beyond the reach of all fear, beyond the reach of change. change.

Buddy fixes Santa’s engine and Buddy fixes Santa’s engine and is now riding in the sled with is now riding in the sled with Santa. The engine falls off and Santa. The engine falls off and they are praying for Christmas they are praying for Christmas spirit to help the sled fly. spirit to help the sled fly.

The Ultimate BoonThe Ultimate Boon

The hero receives the The hero receives the prize that he/she has prize that he/she has been after. been after.

The boon may come in The boon may come in the form a physical the form a physical rewards (like the rewards (like the dragon's treasure), but dragon's treasure), but will more importantly will more importantly include a include a mental/emotional reward mental/emotional reward (like inner peace).(like inner peace).

Buddy and Santa fly over the Buddy and Santa fly over the crowd outside Central Park. crowd outside Central Park. The crowd and the people in The crowd and the people in New York believed enough to New York believed enough to make the sled fly again. make the sled fly again.

ReturnReturn

Refusal of the ReturnRefusal of the Return The hero should bring The hero should bring

their wisdom back to their their wisdom back to their kingdom of humanity. The kingdom of humanity. The hero often wishes to hero often wishes to remain in isolation with his remain in isolation with his boon. boon.

Hero can refuse a return; Hero can refuse a return; attains or experiences a attains or experiences a symbolic "death." symbolic "death."

Rarely will a true refusal Rarely will a true refusal occur, but often times the occur, but often times the temptation to refuse a temptation to refuse a return is evident. return is evident.

Buddy has what he wants Buddy has what he wants now he has Jovie and the now he has Jovie and the love of his family. love of his family.

Magic in FlightMagic in Flight

The hero has his reward, now The hero has his reward, now he must return to safety. he must return to safety. There may be forces still There may be forces still working against him/her working against him/her (possibly trying to get the (possibly trying to get the treasure back that the hero treasure back that the hero has taken). A "chase" ensues. has taken). A "chase" ensues.

The hero usually appears as The hero usually appears as a changed person by this a changed person by this time. Their final chase is time. Their final chase is characterized by the hero's characterized by the hero's confidence and bravery. confidence and bravery.

The magical assistance that The magical assistance that Buddy needs to return was Buddy needs to return was the love from the humans the love from the humans that he loved, the love of that he loved, the love of papa elf, and a little help papa elf, and a little help from Santa. from Santa.

Rescue from WithoutRescue from Without The world may have to The world may have to

come to retrieve the come to retrieve the hero. Attaining the boon hero. Attaining the boon has drained the hero and has drained the hero and he/she needs assistance he/she needs assistance in returning. in returning.

This is sometimes a This is sometimes a blow to the hero's ego, blow to the hero's ego, but the hero will recover but the hero will recover because he sees the big because he sees the big picture and have picture and have accomplished a great accomplished a great deed. deed.

Buddy goes on to be a Buddy goes on to be a children acclaimed author and children acclaimed author and works for his father his very works for his father his very own company. own company.

Crossing the Return ThresholdCrossing the Return Threshold

There is a difficulty in the There is a difficulty in the hero's return; the world has hero's return; the world has changed and so has the hero. changed and so has the hero. The hero may not be The hero may not be accepted back to his old accepted back to his old world. He may feel awkward world. He may feel awkward in his immediate return. in his immediate return.

The returning hero must The returning hero must survive the impact of the survive the impact of the world; he may not be able to world; he may not be able to verbalize the wisdom he has verbalize the wisdom he has gained through his journey. gained through his journey.

The hero conquers the The hero conquers the difficulty in returning, showing difficulty in returning, showing that he/she is able to adapt. that he/she is able to adapt.

Buddy and Jovie and their new Buddy and Jovie and their new baby go to the North Pole to baby go to the North Pole to visit papa elf every so often to visit papa elf every so often to make sure he doesn't stay too make sure he doesn't stay too far away from his home. far away from his home.

Master of Two WorldsMaster of Two Worlds Hero has attained wisdom in Hero has attained wisdom in

both the spiritual and material both the spiritual and material world (conscious world). world (conscious world).

The hero gives up completely The hero gives up completely all attachment to his personal all attachment to his personal limitations, hopes and fears. limitations, hopes and fears.

The hero no longer tries to The hero no longer tries to live, but willingly relaxes to live, but willingly relaxes to whatever may come to pass in whatever may come to pass in him. him.

The boon that the hero brings The boon that the hero brings restores the world. restores the world.

Buddy has now lived in both the Buddy has now lived in both the elf and the human worlds. He elf and the human worlds. He lived in the North Pole for his first lived in the North Pole for his first 30 years and will spend the rest 30 years and will spend the rest with his new family in New York. with his new family in New York.

Freedom to LiveFreedom to Live

The hero reconciles the fact The hero reconciles the fact the every creature lives on the every creature lives on the death of another. The the death of another. The hero understands that it was hero understands that it was only through the "death" of only through the "death" of his/her former self that the his/her former self that the new life was able to surface. new life was able to surface.

The hero learns never to be The hero learns never to be afraid of the next moment afraid of the next moment (destruction or change), he (destruction or change), he has learned "to be" (exist). has learned "to be" (exist).

Buddy learns about both worlds. Buddy learns about both worlds. He can now live in both worlds He can now live in both worlds comfortably because he has comfortably because he has been an elf and he is now been an elf and he is now excepted as a human. excepted as a human.