hero's journey

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Stage in the Hero's Journey	Film Component
Ordinary World The hero's normal world before the story begins	Marlin and Coral live in a sea anemone and are waiting for their 400 eggs to hatch. A shark eats Coral. and all of the eggs, except one, which becomes Nemo. Marlin has become scared of everything and worries about Nemo. Nemo has a "lucky fin", which is damaged. Because of his fin, he can't swim very well.
Call to Adventure The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure to undertake	Nemo is caught by the men in the boat and Marlin has to get him back.
Refusal of the Call The hero refuses the challenge or journey, usually out of fear	Marlin is afraid of the sea, the boat (the kids call it the butt) and the drop off, but he has to save Nemo, so he goes.
Meeting with the Mentor The hero meets a mentor to gain confidence, advice or training to face the adventure	The mentor is Dory. She is a "trickster" mentor. She teaches Marlin through humor. Marlin needs to learn how to not be afraid. He also needs to learn how to let go and believe.
Crossing the First Threshold The hero crosses the gateway that separates the ordinary world from the special world	He swims after the boat. He is in the open ocean and he hasn't done this since his wife was eaten by the shark.
Tests, Allies, Enemies The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies & learn the rules of the Special World.	The Sharks at the meeting where they're trying to stop eating fish - sharks are enemies who say they're friends. Dory - Friend that gets in the way; kind of smart and kind of stupid Crush - the turtle helps travel through the current; showed him your kids have a way to come back without your help The Fishes - that make the pictures Darla - threatens Nemo The Whale - the whale is a test - Dory tells Marlin to "just let go" and "just keep swimming". When Marlin lets go, they get blown out the spout and things work out.
Approach The hero has hit setbacks during tests & may need to reorganize his helpers or rekindle morale with mentor's rally cry. Stakes heightened.	Nemo does this when he has to get out or go with Darla. Maybe Marlin when he tells Dory to go away.
Ordeal The biggest life or death crisis – the hero faces his greatest fear & only through “death” can the hero be “reborn” experiencing even greater powers to see the journey to the end.	Marlin returns to save Dory from the jellies. The jellyfish stings make him look dead, but he recovers and meets Crush, the turtle, who is 150 but acts young. Marlin is able to go through the current.
Reward The hero has survived death, overcome his greatest fear and now earns the reward he sought.	With the Pelican's help, Marlin gets to the dentist's office. He thinks Nemo is dead and the dentist throws the pelican out. Marlin ends up back in the sea. Nemo goes down the drain and out to the ocean. Dory finds Nemo. Marlin gets Nemo back.
The Road Back The hero must recommit to completing the journey & travel the road back to the Ordinary World. The dramatic question is asked again.	Dory gets caught in the net. Nemo wants to help get her out. Marlin doesn't want to lose Nemo again, but he lets Nemo go. Using what he learned from Gil, Nemo saves Dory and all the other fish.
Resurrection Hero faces most dangerous meeting with death – this shows the hero can apply all the wisdom he's brought back to the Ordinary World	It looks like Nemo is dead, but he is alive.
Return with Elixir The hero returns from the journey with the “elixir”, so everyone in the world can use to heal physical or emotional wounds.	Marlin returns home with Nemo. He lets Nemo go to school. Marlin is able to live a life that is happier.