Spirited Away and the Monomyth
The monomyth (or hero’s journey) is a narrative structure found throughout film, literature and
mythology. The concept was introduced by Joseph Campbell in seminal work The Hero with a
Thousand Faces (1949). The basic narrative, which has become a kind of paradigm for writers
(especially film) goes as follows: A hero ventures forth from their familiar world into a region of
supernatural wonder. Fabulous forces are there encountered, some involving forbidden knowledge.
After significant trials and tribulations, a decisive victory is won. The hero comes back from this
mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his/her fellow man. Over the years, this
narrative has taken many forms but the basic structure is as follows:
SEPARATION
1. Ordinary World
2. Call To Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting With The Mentor
5. Crossing The First Threshold
INITIATION
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. Approach
8. Supreme Ordeal
9. Reward
RETURN
10. The Road back
11. Resurrection
12. Return With Elixir
I. SEPARATION:
1. Ordinary World:
Many stories take the hero out of their ordinary or familiar world and into a Special World,
both new and alien. By introducing the hero in her Ordinary World the author creates a
vivid contrast with the new world she is about to enter.
2. The Call to Adventure
The hero is presented with a problem, challenge, or adventure to undertake. Once presented
with a Call to Adventure, she can no longer remain indefinitely in the comfort of the
Ordinary World.
3. Refusal of the Call
Often when the call is given, the future hero first refuses to heed it. This may be from a sense of
duty or obligation, fear of the unknown, insecurity, a sense of inadequacy, or any of a range of
reasons that work to hold a person in his or her current circumstances.
4. Supernatural Aid or Meeting with a Mentor
Once the hero has committed to the quest, consciously or unconsciously, a guide or magical helper
appears or becomes known. The function of the Mentor is to prepare the hero to face the
unknown. They may give advice, guidance or magical tools or powers. But eventually the hero
must face the unknown alone. Sometimes the Mentor is required to give the hero a swift kick in the
pants to get the adventure going.
5. Crossing the Threshold
This is the point when the hero finally commits to the adventure and fully enters the Special World,
leaving the known limits her world and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the
rules and limits are not known.
II. INITIATION
6. The Road of Trials (Tests, Allies and Enemies)
Once across the First Threshold, the hero naturally encounters new challenges and begins to
learn the rules of the Special World. This stage is a series of tests, tasks, or ordeals that the
person must undergo to begin the transformation. The hero may fail one or more of these
tests, but is covertly aided (especially in fairy tales) by the advice, amulets, and secret agents
of the supernatural helper whom he met before his entrance into this region.
7. Approach to the Innermost Cave
The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world.
8. Ordeal
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. 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.
III. RETURN
10. The Road Back
The hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is
brought home.
11. 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 hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved.
12. Return
The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure or
knowledge that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed.