Joseph Campbell's book The Millennium Hero has become one of the most famous psychological books of our time. What can this work tell about? Well, let's try to figure this out.
Highlights
If we look at the content of The Thousand Hero (Joseph Campbell), we can say the following: the book tells the reader about those heroes who became characters in various fairy tales, films and short stories in the style of science fiction. The author calls these heroes chosen. In fact, in every work of art there is the same main character who is looking for adventure. Joseph Campbell in “The Thousand Hero” identifies only three stages, passing through which the character changes his life in a cardinal way.
First stage
In the book The Millennium Hero, Joseph Campbell calls this phase the Exodus. It begins exactly when the main character of the adventure is called right after all. An excellent example for this part of the stage is the appearance of old Gandalf in the story The Hobbits. It is the old magician who is a kind of invitation to the magical world, where the main character is waiting for new adventures. Or you can look at Harry Potter, whose letters are beginning to meet a new life, asleep in the Dursleys. This time the main character is drawn into the unknown.
The next step
The hero’s next step is also completely predictable: as a rule, he simply dismisses the call to try something new because of his fear of the unknown. This is quite normal, absolutely everyone who has to deal with something unknown, unusual experiences such feelings. In addition, magical invitations always cause doubts in the character, because it is impossible to immediately believe the old man whom you see for the first time that he is a great magician who is ready to lead you into the world of extraordinary wanderings.
Lack of choice
Despite the fact that the protagonist is desperately resisting change, adventure is still his name. They come to the character in the form of various signs: a bunch of rude gnomes who are ready to break the door; crazy streams of letters pouring from all the cracks in the house. As a result, in order to finally find peace, the main character has to come to terms and set off to meet new and unforgettable adventures.
Second phase
We continue the description. In The Millennial Hero, Joseph Campbell also reviews the second phase, called the Initiation.
This stage contains the bulk of the entire work. Here, the main character will either fail, or enter into a strong confrontation with the enemy and emerge victorious from him. Any outcome of this struggle will become either a legend or an indicator of morality for future generations.
A feature of this stage is that here the development of the plot depends entirely on the desire of the author of the book. In this case, the leading role is given to the imagination of the author, who himself decides on the fate of the protagonist. It is at this stage that the central character meets new friends, enemies and just acquaintances who will accompany him for a certain time. It is very likely that the central character will fall under their influence, which will lead him to new discoveries or troubles.
At the same stage, the main character often meets with the other side of his soul - the so-called shadow. He sees the dark side of his soul, looks into it, as if in a mirror, which is why he is completely horrified. Whether the hero will cope with his shortcomings and fears is known only to the author of the work.
At the same stage, the main character reaches the climax of his adventure. It is at this moment that it is decided whether the central character will remain on that side or if he will switch to the other. Often, characters cannot cope with their shadow, which leads them to the side of evil. Those who do not want to become a villain must abandon their selfish goals and act in the name of the whole world.
The hero often faces a sexual temptation, but the author manages to direct his character in the right direction, forcing him to abandon his fantasies about pleasures that can lead to a deplorable end for a while.
Third stage
We continue the summary. Joseph Campbell's “Thousand Hero” ends with a stage called Return. At this point, the protagonist finally returns home. But he is unlikely to succeed in returning as a former resident of that locality. In addition, if the central character returns to his native land, then he returns in order to tell his people about the horror that everyone can face with whom he fought with his own hands, saving the people from death. That is, the main character returns home already much more wise, serious, adult.
Sometimes it happens that the central character decides to stay in this fictional world, to someday meet the next adventurer and help him with his trials. In this case, the character changes the role of the main character to the role of a teacher, a sage who can be a guide to magical and mystical worlds.
At the same stage, the main character receives a reward for his services. Often this award is expressed in what the hero really lacked. Or, as often happens in myths or legends, the main character receives as an award the artifact for which so many trials have been passed.
Reviews
Joseph Campbell's “Thousand Hero” caused a lot of talk among people who are into book psychology.
One of the most significant reviews, perhaps, is the comment of George Lucas, who admitted that the book inspired him throughout the writing of the script for the movie "Star Wars".
Equally significant was the recognition of Neil Gaiman, director of American Gods, in that he did not finish reading the book to the end in order to avoid its influence on the worldview.
Among fans of the work you can meet a man like Dan Harmon, who is the creator of the famous animated cartoon "Rick and Morty."
Speaking about the ratings of this book, it must be said that the work is included in the list of the best books of the non-fiction genre according to the New York Times.
Considering the reviews of ordinary readers, we can conclude that the book is really worth reading. For those who like psychological scientific literature, this work can be a very interesting material that can discover something new and make you think.