FACING THE GREAT ORDEAL
After arriving at the innermost cave, the hero must complete a dangerous task, such as winning a fight, solving an important riddle, or facing an internal conflict. To emerge victorious, the hero must draw upon the lessons they’ve learned throughout their journey — and possibly make a terrible sacrifice.
This moment occurs at the approximate midpoint of the Hero’s Journey and serves as the hero’s (literal or figurative) death and rebirth, from which they emerge with newfound strength and resolve to achieve their goal.
Katniss experiences her great ordeal in The Hunger Games when the Careers trap her with the intent to kill. Not only must she formulate an escape plan; she must decide whether she’s willing to kill to ensure her survival.
Ultimately, Katniss weaponizes a Tracker Jacker nest to distract the Career Tributes, ensuring her escape at the cost of killing two of her competitors. She emerges from this experience with the resolve to actively undermine her fellow competitors rather than continuing to hide and flee.
RECEIVING THE REWARD
Despite the cost of their victory, the hero often receives some form a reward for weathering their great ordeal, usually a magical object, new insight or abilities, or the return of an ally or loved one.
In Star Wars, Luke’s reward is the rescue of Princess Leia and the escape from the Death Star. In The Hunger Games, Katniss is rewarded with a newfound ally in Rue, a competitor who helped her formulate her Tracker-Jacker plan.
Beginning the Return Journey
ATONEMENT
With a great victory under their belt, the hero strives to return to some version of their known world. Sometimes they’ve yet to achieve their mission, though often they have. But because of the experiences of their death and rebirth, the hero is forever changed — and they recognize that something remains amiss.
The hero may try to overcome this feeling by atoning for wrongs committed during the first half of their journey, even as their renown as a hero begins to grow.
For example, after delivering Leia to the Rebel base, Luke atones for his initial ambivalence toward the Empire by joining the rebellion as a fighter pilot, eager to take part in the upcoming conflict against the approaching Death Star.
TRUE RESURRECTION
At last, the hero encounters their final battle with the dangers of the known world. Whether facing down the villain, a physical obstacle, or the choice between selfish and selfless desires, the stakes have never higher.
This moment marks the climax of the Hero’s Journey, as well as the hero’s true rebirth. In finding victory over the dangers of the known world, they save their people from harm and fully accept their new identity.
In The Hunger Games, Katniss experiences resurrection when she kills Cato as a form of mercy and finds a way for both she and Peeta to maintain their dignity in the face of the Capitol’s demands, ultimately ensuring their survival.
RETURNING TO THE KNOWN WORLD
Having achieved their goal and attained some form of peace or satisfaction, the hero crosses the threshold into their known world. This final sequence affirms the necessity of the hero’s journey, showcasing how their quest not only led to their internal transformation but the ultimate safety of those they love.
In some cases, the hero’s return to the known world prompts a realization or radical transformation of its own, forcing the hero to forge a new normal in which to dwell.
Consider the Hobbits’ return to the Shire after the destruction of the One Ring. While Sam’s journey transformed him into a braver version of himself, leading him to ask for Rosie’s hand in marriage, Frodo is too traumatized by his quest to remain in the Shire. Ultimately, he makes a new home for himself by taking a ship west to the Grey Havens.
Isn't the Hero's Journey an epic plot structure?
As evidenced by the examples included in today’s breakdown, the Hero’s Journey can help writers craft incredible speculative fiction stories. However, it’s worth noting that not all stories influenced by the Hero’s Journey fit perfectly into this structure.
