"May The Structuralism Be With You"

Welcome back world. Today we tackle the pantheon of structuralism in Joseph Campbell’s Hero With A Thousand Faces. Additionally, since his book was first published in 1949, and its over 400 pages, I will also utilize Douglas Mann’s article “The Hero with a Thousand Faces and its Application to Star Wars.” If you havn’t seen Star Wars then your going to have a problem here. Also, you live under a rock and should culture yourself.

It must be noted that in almost all cases I have been against the structuralism in whatever medium I have been discussing. I am still opposed to the idea; however, in the case of Star Wars I think I’m ok with it. By utilizing Campbell’s book George Lucas was able to weave a tale that transcends time. Star Wars will always be popular regardless of time and space. This is BECAUSE Lucas used the hero’s tale that Campbell outlines. So here, structuralism isn’t so awful but when many people start to use Campbell’s book, mimic Lucas’ tactic, then I get concerned. So what exactly is this Hero With A Thousand Faces? Let’s start with an explanation from Campbell of what he’s trying to do.

“Throughout the inhabited world, in all times and under every circumstance, the myths of man have flourished; and they have been the living inspiration of whatever else may have appeared out of the activities of the human body and mind. It would not be too much to say that myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human cultural manifestation” (Campbell 3).

Now, in the following 400 pages Campbell outlines all his stages of the hero’s journey. I will use Star Wars as an example as Douglas Mann has outlined them quite clearly. While you read them think of other movies that follow this formula. Moreover, try and see how by using this set of rules of langue a movie writer would easily be able to appeal to our deep structure and unconscious to get us to like said movie or story.

So here are the 17 stages and where they appear in the Star Wars Trilogy. It must be noted that they do not appear in order in Lucas’ tale, but are still all there.

1. Call To Adventure: Luke watches Leia’s hologram on Tatooine
2. Refusal of Call: Luke says he needs to stay and help with harvest on Tatooine
3. Supernatural Aid: Obi-Wan rescues Luke from sandpeople
4. Crossing of the First Threshold: Luke’s aunt and uncle killed, Luke leaves Tatooine.
5. The Belly of the Whale: When Luke, Han and Leia are trapped inside the trash compactor
6. Road of Trials: Light-saber practice, rescue Leia from jail cell
7. Meeting with the Goddess: Luke meets Leia
8. Woman as Temptress: Not Literal here, Luke is tempted by the dark side
9. Atonement with the Father: “Luke I am your father”
10. Apothesis: Luke becomes a Jedi and can harness the force
11. The Ultimate Boon: The Death Star is destroyed (out of order)
12. The Refusal of the Return: Luke wants to stay to avenge Obi-Wan during shoot-out in docking bay
13. The Magic Flight: The Millennium Falcon escapes from Death Star + tie fighters
14. Rescue From Without: The Millennium Flacon shows up during the battle, saves Luke
15. Crossing the Final Threshold: The Millennium Falcon fights a running battle with tie fighters
16. Master of Both Worlds: Luke destroy the Death Star, the force is with him
17. Freedom to Live: Victory ceremony at end of 1^st movie.

(Mann 2008).

So instead of listing The Matrix examples I found a YouTube video that goes through them with clips from the film. It’s the perfect video and a reason I love YouTube and the Internet. The stage names are a little different but the point is still the same. Enjoy!

On top of the stages listed above, there are distinct characters that can be drawn out from the hero’s tale. They are as follows… (with examples from Star Wars, The Matrix, and my own example Lord Of The Rings and again cited from Douglas Mann)

Character	Star Wars	The Matrix	LOTR (my example)
Hero	Luke Skywalker	Neo	Frodo Baggins
Mentor (Magician)	Obi-Wan + Yoda	Morpheus	Gandalf
Goddess	Princess Leia	Trinity	Arwen
Villain (the Dragon)	Darth Vader	Agent Smith	Sarumon + Sauron
Rogue	Han Solo	Tank + Cypher	Aragorn
Jesters & Tricksters	Chewbacca + Droids	Mouse	Mary, Pippen + Gimli
Magical Power	The Force	Control of the Matrix	The Power of the Ring

Now that you have the information to analyze the movie. Take some time to think about YOUR favourite action hero adventure. I bet you all the above characters are present, in fact, I guarantee it. Many will argue that these are just types of people and that you couldn’t have a movie without a hero, a comedian, a goddess and so forth. This is obviously valid but it’s the argument that by having these elements you will like the good movie before you step into the theatre, regardless of its production value, plot, etc. What do you think? Is it good for a movie to make sure I like it before? Or should movies take a chance once and a while? Sometimes the chance pays off, sometimes it doesn’t. But it would be nice if more chances were taken. Also, send me your favourite hero movie with the 17 stages or characters and I’ll post it next time around. Anyways, that’s all for now…..tootles.

News and Notes: A great video from Robot Chicken that's a hilarious Star Wars parody for any fan. Also check out the parody by Family Guy its new and just out on DVD.
Great show and video. Enjoy!