essay 2
ENG1B
PROMPT #2
PROMPT Is Jeanette Wintersons novel, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, a work of modern myth
that features a modern day hero? For your second essay, you will do a Mythopoeic
reading by applying the Heros Journey structure to Wintersons novel. You will look at
the ways in which the novel meets the criteria of the Heros Journey and present an
analysis that shows the novel is or has characteristics of a classical myth.
NOTES – Assume that the audience for your essay has not read the novel or is familiar with
Campbells mythic structure, which means youll have to explain certain things to
your readers as you move through your analysis.
– When applying the Heros Journey to the novel, look at the 12 stages of the hero and
find connections to the novel that fit well. One difficulty you may face is you may find
a number of different examples from the book that fit with a certain stage in the heros
journey. In that situation, you have to choose which one to focus on.
– The challenge of this assignment is to see how well you can take the information in a
novel and selectively shape it into a story that meets the criteria set by the Heros
Journey structure.
– You may find trying to fit all 12 of the stages of the heros journey difficult to fit into
a 5-6 page paper, so you are not expected to apply all 12 stages. However, you are
expected to apply at least 8 stages from the Heros Journey.
– Lastly, be sure to address the question of whether Wintersons novel is an example of
a modern myth with a modern hero. Explain your reason based on your analysis.
REQUIRE-
MENTS
Essay Length 6-7 pages (going over is fine for this assignment)
Introduction Must contain full name of author and full title of work so readers know
what you are focusing on.
Theme Located in the introduction (usually at the end) and states the central point of
your essay. Mainly, youre answering the question of whether the novel is a work of
myth.
Paragraphs Your essay should contain paragraphs focused around various stages of
the Heros Journey.
Conclusion Restate the thesis using different words and end on some kind of final
observation, thought, opinion that encapsulates the stories you focused on
Works Cited Page Cite the novel as your primary source, the animation video on the
heros journey, and the article on Joseph Campbell.
FORMAT Header Top left corner; double-spaced; includes Name, Class, Instructor, Date
Essay Title Centered; one return after the Header; essay begins one return after Title
Spacing Everything, including the Header, is double-spaced
Margins Left/Right = 1; Top/Bottom = 1
Font Type = Times New Roman; Size = 12pt
Page #s Top right hand corner, outside the margins
DUE DATE TBD The Hero’s Journey Outline
The Heros Journey is a pattern of narrative identified by the American scholar Joseph Campbell that
appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development. It describes the
typical adventure of the archetype known as The Hero, the person who goes out and achieves great deeds
on behalf of the group, tribe, or civilization.
Its stages are:
1. THE ORDINARY WORLD. The hero, uneasy, uncomfortable or unaware, is introduced
sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma. The hero is shown against a
background of environment, heredity, and personal history. Some kind of polarity in the heros life is
pulling in different directions and causing stress.
2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE. Something shakes up the situation, either from external pressures or
from something rising up from deep within, so the hero must face the beginnings of change.
3. REFUSAL OF THE CALL. The hero feels the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from the
adventure, however briefly. Alternately, another character may express the uncertainty and danger ahead.
4. MEETING WITH THE MENTOR. The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of the worlds who gives
him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey. Or the hero reaches within to a
source of courage and wisdom.
5. CROSSING THE THRESHOLD. At the end of Act One, the hero commits to leaving the Ordinary
World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values.
6. TESTS, ALLIES AND ENEMIES. The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.
7. APPROACH. The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world.
8. THE ORDEAL. Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and
confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life.
9. THE REWARD. The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. There may be
celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.
10. THE ROAD BACK. About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to complete
the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is brought home. Often a chase scene
signals the urgency and danger of the mission.
11. THE RESURRECTION. At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of
home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and
more complete level. By the heros action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally
resolved.
12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR. The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element
of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed.
