Essay about The Hero Monomyth in Sons of Anarchy - 665 Words

Claire Stemmer 16 March 2015 HUM 115-502 Prof. Streit SWA 4: Patterns of the Hero Monomyth in Sons of Anarchy In his renowned work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell defined the essential stages of the Heroic Journey, using examples from a wide range of myths and stories. His objective was not only to establish the framework for hero tales, but also to convey why these elements of the monomyth prevail in so many different works. Campbell’s view states that â€Å"the hero myth is really written about every human being: we are all heroes struggling to accomplish our adventure† (Whomsley, 185). From this perspective, it seems justified that these patterns continue to appear in so many stories adventure and heroism; we all want our†¦show more content†¦The element of the Hero’s Journey that the show most clearly reflects is the concept of â€Å"Atonement with the Father†. Central to the plotline is the relationship between father and son, and the implications are manifold. Clay Morrow fills the role of the mythical father figure, as well as one of the show’s antagonists despite his actual familial relationship with Jax. In Campbell’s analysis of the Hero’s Journey, the father figure plays a huge part in the hero’s transformation process: â€Å"His role is to test the hero to ascertain his worthiness† (190). The Father can also symbolize the source of evil that the hero must eliminate: â€Å"The hero’s quest, if successful, incorporates the defeat of an ogre or villain who represents the fearsome aspect of the father† (190). The point in the series where Jax ends Clay’s life is a truly pivotal moment in his heroic journey, as it signifies our protagonist stepping into a new position of leadership and responsibility. In The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell delineated the essential features found in myths and stories of heroes and heroic journeys. His purpose in doing so was partly to elucidate the notion that we are all heroes on the course of our own adventures. Looking at contemporary works of fiction through the lens of the heroic monomyth, we are able to make connections between our own heroes and ourselves. Jax