Hero's Journey Deconstructed and Explained

 

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American Werewolf in London (1981) [Monomyth, Hero's Journey, basic]

FADE IN: Yorkshire Moors.

Border of the First Threshold: getting out of the truck.

Warning of the First Threshold: keep off the Moors; stick to the roads.

Meeting the Hero and the Shape Shifter: David and Jack.

Backstory: Travelling; Northern England first, England later.

Developing Characters and Relationships: an interest Debbie Klein's body….walking along the road….say knock knock…

Entering the First Threshold: walking into town.

Threshold Guardian: the Slaughtered Lamb.

New Creatures of the Cave: the people in the pub.

Authority Figure / Unwelcome in the Cave: any coffee…No; any tea…No.

Trial: the five point star on the wall.

Foreshadow of the Journey: "London…Leicester Square…."

Pulled into the Middle Cave: debating the five point star and candles.

Developing Characters and Relationships: the characters in the pub.

Middle Cave: What's the star on the wall for?

Pushed to the Inner Cave: Go!

Rules: Stay on the road.

Developing Characters and Relationships: it's in God's hands now.

Contravening the Rules: wandering off the road.

Inner Cave: the wolf cry; can you hear it?

Pulled Back: we must go to them.

Foreboding: what was that sound?

Pulling Back: deciding to go back to the Slaughtered Lamb.

Warning of the Trial: it's a sheep dog.

Trial: attacked by the werewolf – saved by the villagers.

World of the Physical Separation: London, in the hospital.

Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Nurse Alex Price.

Meeting the Mentor: Doctor Hirsch.

Push to the Separation 1: Dreaming of running.

Fish Out of Water: David wakes; Hello David; where's Jack?

Resisting the Push to the Separation: who are you people? I want to see Jack.

No Way Back: you've been here for three weeks.

The Antagonism: I was attacked by an animal, a wolf.

Mentor's backstory: if I can survive Rommel…

Push to the Resolution / Developing Characters and Relationships: the detectives question the doctor.

Developing Characters and Relationships: the detectives question David; the case is closed.

Push to the Separation 2: Running naked and eating a deer's head.

Developing the Goddess: Hello Benjamin.

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Mr Kessler, you have to eat something; shall I be forced to feed you David?

Push to the Separation 3: Running; lying in the bed; yellow eyes and sharp teeth.

Foreshadow of the Sword: did anyone go to the Slaughtered Lamb?

Developing the Romantic Challenge: I thought you were asleep; Alex reads to David.

Push to the Separation 4: the attack in David's House; Alex opens the window and is attacked.

Resisting the Physical Separation: Jack appears; David you're hurting my feelings; Debbie Klein cried a lot…we were attacked by a werewolf and now I walk the Earth until the wolves remaining bloodline is severed. You will kill people. Beware the moon David.

Physical Separation: David kisses Alex. I'm a werewolf. My friend Jack was just here. He told me that I will become a monster in two days. Where are you staying?

Entering the World of the Transformation: shopping.

Strange Creatures in the World of the Transformation: the punks in the train.

Geography of the world of the Transformation: the bathroom; the closet, the bedroom….

Trial1 1: David making love with Alex

Trial 2: David appears in the shower; you have to kill yourself before it's too late; you'll kill and make others like me…

Resistance: I will not accept this; go away.

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Alex wakes up; I just saw Jack again.

Journey to the Sword: the Doctor travel to the Slaughtered Lamb.

Resisting the Sword: we don't serve that Sir.

Pushing to the Sword: nasty business about those American boys; in the pub.

Guardians of the Sword: there's nothing for you here Sir.

Seizing the Sword: that boy is in danger; he's the one who's in danger; it's almost full moon; he'll change; that's enough!

Separation: Alex leaves.

Trial 3: expectation; the dog barks at David; the cat hisses; watching darts, naught Nina; looking in the fridge…nothing happens.

Developing the Goddess: Alex in hospital.

Transformation: David transforms into a werewolf.

Foreshadow of the Resolution: Doctor returns and believes in the werewolf story.

Near Death Experience: the posh couple get attacked.

Foreshadow of the Resolution: Doctor phones Alex's flat.

Near Death Experience: the tramps get attacked.

Near Death Experience: the man in the underground is attacked.

Rebirth: waking up in the Wolves cage in the zoo.

Anticipation: Alex expecting David at home.

Reward: the balloons, the coat

Foreshadow of the Atonement: the doctor reads the paper.

New Self: Arriving back home; kiss from Alex; David doesn't remember; he feels good; sexual appetite.

Atonement with the Father: the cab driver tells about the murders; six murders.

Apotheosis: I'm werewolf; David tries to get arrested.

Ultimate Boon: I love you, Alex.

Magic Flight: David runs away from Alex.

Push to the Resolution: the doctor calls back the Inspectors.

Refusal: calling home; tell everyone I love them; David tries to kill himself but can't.

Rescue from Without: Jack pulls David into the porn theatre; David's victims appear; they tell him he must die; methods of death.

Crossing the Return Threshold: David turns into a werewolf again. Running wild inside the theatre and Piccadilly.

Master of Two Worlds: trapped in the dead end street; Alex appears; David is shot.

Freedom to Live: the curse is lifted.

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