Exploring the 'Hero's Journey' Formula: From 'Star Wars' to 'Dark City'

When discussing the art of storytelling and narrative structure, one name that often arises is Joseph Campbell, who popularized the narrative archetype known as the Hero's Journey in his seminal work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

At first glance, it might appear that there are only a few stories that fully embody the Hero's Journey formula. However, as we delve deeper into the narrative structure, we find that many famous tales, from classic literature to modern fantasy, can indeed be considered archetypal Hero's Journey stories.

What Books Follow the "Hero's Journey" Story Structure?

One of the most famous examples of the Hero's Journey is George Lucas's Star Wars. Lucas explicitly modeled the original Star Wars on the heroic journey Joseph Campbell described, using the framework to guide the narrative arc of his iconic space opera. The story follows a clear path of the Hero's Journey, with the protagonist, Luke Skywalker, leaving his mundane life, encountering a mentor (Ben Kenobi), facing challenges and obstacles, and ultimately returning to his world with a deeper understanding and newfound power (the power to defeat the Empire).

Other Examples of the Hero's Journey

Another compelling example of the Hero's Journey is the 1998 movie Dark City. This film follows the story of John Murdoch, an amnesiac who awakens in a dystopian metropolis with no memory of his past. This city is a laboratory run by sinister beings who manipulate and rewrite the memories of its inhabitants.

The Dark City: A Paragon of the Hero's Journey

Dark City introduces our protagonist, John Murdoch, in a strange and dangerous world, far from his comfort zone. He meets a mentor in the form of the twitchy human doctor, who helps him uncover and harness his own power, ultimately leading to a confrontation with the masterminds of the city.

Leaving the Ordinary World: John Murdoch wakes up in an unfamiliar place and quickly learns he is without memories. He is forced to confront this new reality, much like any Hero's Journey protagonist must face a life-changing event. Meeting the Mentor: John finds a human doctor who becomes his guide and mentor. The doctor helps him understand his new reality and teaches him how to use his powers to fight back. The Road of Trials: John faces numerous challenges as he tries to uncover the truth about his world and the identity of the masters who control it. Each obstacle brings him closer to understanding his true nature and the nature of the world he inhabits. Approaching the Inmost Cave: John's journey reaches its climax as he confronts the masters of the city and learns the full extent of their manipulation. The Ordeal: In a final and intense battle, John must prove his worth and defeat the masters, reclaiming his power and identity. Return with the Elixir: With the masters defeated and his true identity restored, John emerges from Dark City, transformed and ready to rule and shape his new world.

While The Hobbit is often cited as a classic example of the Hero's Journey, it is more accurately described as a "quest" or "voyage and return" story. In this story, Frodo Baggins embarks on a quest to destroy the One Ring but completes his adventure by returning transformed and wiser, much like Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit, an earlier tale by J.R.R. Tolkien that also features elements of the Hero's Journey.

The Hero's Journey is not a rigid formula but a flexible framework that helps writers and storytellers identify common thematic elements and motifs that appear across different cultures and time periods. By understanding these elements, authors can create resonant and impactful narratives that reach the deepest parts of the human psyche.

Conclusion: The Ubiquity of the Hero's Journey

From the intricate world of Dark City to the legendary saga of Star Wars, the Hero's Journey has proven to be a timeless and universal story structure. Whether used as a tool for analysis or as a template for creative storytelling, the Hero's Journey continues to inspire writers and artists in their pursuit of creating compelling and memorable stories.