The Differences of Monomyths in the Modern Context.
Prompt:
Step #1 Using the stages of the hero’s journey (also refer to as "monomyth"), compare two films from different eras or different cultures. For example, commpare a film from the current era (meaning a film in the last 5 years (2013 through 2018) with a film from the previous era (a film from the 1950's through the 2000's)
Step #2: Analyze the connection of each film to its own time or place.
Step #3: In what ways do the films diverge from the hero myth?
Step #4 In what ways do the films show similar and/or different cultural mythologies through the monomyth?
Step #5: What conclusions can you draw from their similarities or differences?
Use general summaries of the films, specific examples of scenes and dialogue, and quotes/paraphrase from at least three outside sources (For example, you could include quotes from prior readings from your Signs of Life in the USA book to support and illustrate your points such as "Creating the Myth" by Linda Seger, "High-School Confidential: Notes on Teen Movies by David Denby and or "The Social Networks" by Neal Gabler.
Essay Guidelines:
Essay should be a minimum of 6 double-spaced pages in MLA format and a seperate Works Cited page. You must use at least one quote from at least three different outside sources (you could use quotes prior readings from your Sign of Life in the USA book).
* Should have a title that states topic and hints at a thesis.
* Introduction should begin with 3-5 sentences introducing the topic of how television and film reflect and/or distort social reality.
* A thesis statement should end the introduction making an analytical argument—that is detailed, developed, and dynamic—about the particular shows or films you will be discussing.
* Body paragraphs should begin with clearly articulated topic sentences that develop individual points helping to support your overall thesis.
* Evidence should describe the shows/films and be connected to quotes, paraphrase, and/or summaryfrom outside sources (could be prior readings from your Signs of Life in the USA book).
* Conclusion should bring these individual points back to the overall thesis and make it clear what the implications are between the differences you pointed out in the shows or films.
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The Differences of Monomyths in the Modern Context
Narratives and myths have long been discussed in the context of the Hero’s Journey, also known as the monomyth. This is the idea that there is a common template for all stories and myths, involving a man who leave his home to go on adventures, wins a victory, and then comes home, transformed. Proper study of the monomyth and how it appears in myth and culture began in 1871, when an anthropologist by the name of Edward Tylor began to notice a common theme when it came to certain mythological narratives. His work was then expanded upon from certain angles, including the psychoanalytical angle of Otto Rank, and the unification of mythology and religion as postulated by Lord Raglan. The final codifying of the monomyth was done by Joseph Campbell in the mid-twentieth century, and his version of the myth is still used today when discussing film and television narratives. This essay will take the original Star Wars and the new Disney movie Moana, and compare and contrast them to the monomyth. Through this compare and contrast, the essay will show how the monomyth has changed, and how it has not changed, in the intervening years, and in the different genres of movies.
Star Wars is the story of a young boy from Tatooine who is caught up in galactic events, and ends up becoming the one who saves the Rebellion from certain destruction. Moana is the story of a girl who grows up on a remote island in the Pacific, who is caught up in events beyond the island, and ends up saving the world through her intervention. On the surface, both of these movies have the same basic narrative – they both follow that of the narrative very closely (Seger 326). However, they are both very different movies, and those differences are what make the differences to the monomyth, and how it is used.
Star Wars features the protagonist, Luke Skywalker, who is at first a farm boy on a backwards planet. He and his uncle buy two droids, which leads him to meet up with an old recluse from nearby – Obi-Wan Kenobi – and eventually takes him into space. There, with the help of allies and friends, he makes his way through the various dangers of the outside world, and eventually becomes a hero. This is the basic version of the ‘hero’ monomyth (Seger 327), and it is the monomyth which people are most familiar with. Luke is the hero, and he has a mentor in the form of Kenobi. His first test comes in the form of his uncle’s expectations for him with regards to the family farm. Once he passes the test (or has it rendered a moot point), then he moves on into a new world, with new interactions and allies in it.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: There was nothing you could have done, Luke, had you been there. You'd have been killed too, and the droids would now be in the hands of the Empire.
Luke Skywalker: I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing for me here now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father.
(Lucas)
This film is the monomyth as it was originally conceived of – since it is, as Seger (327) says a ‘hero’ version of the monomyth, the focus is on Luke himself, and how he adapts to the wider world around him as he grows past his initial small conception of the world around him.
Moana is the story of a woman (starting as a girl, but growing up as part of a montage early in the film) who seeks something more than what she has. The story follows her as she attempts to fit in to her role in her home (which is in itself a departure from movies which would have had her do nothing), and eventually receiving a quest from her grandmother. This leads to her leaving her home, finding a demi-God to help her, and saving the world via returning a sacred object to its rightful owner. Unlike Star Wars, this movie is the version of the monomyth called the search myth (Seger 327), which speaks to the part of us which wants to seek out and find something fundamental to ourselves and the people around us.
The major place that Moana and Star Wars differ is in their use of mentors. Both start out with the normal mentoring relationship, it is true – both represent a world outside of the protagonists’ experience, and both are the first people to give Luke and Moana a chance to go beyond the limits of their previous lives.
Moana: If there's something you want to tell me, just tell me! Is there something you want to tell me?
Gramma Tala: Is there something you want to hear?
***
Moana: Okay, first, I am not a princess. I'm the daughter of the chief.
Maui: Same difference.