The Hero’s Journey Explained

The hero’s journey is used intentionally and unintentionally by authors every day. The trope is hugely popular and has been since even before it was templated and there’s a reason it’s so popular.

We previously discussed the hero’s journey in detail as part of our step-by-step book writing guide but I wanted to demonstrate these twelve stages through a popular fictional example. The example, of course, is Harry Potter (because he’s well-known enough that most people will understand the journey, even if they haven’t read the books.)

Harry Potter and the Twelve Steps of the Hero’s Journey

1. Harry and the Ordinary World

Like most protagonists at the onset of their hero’s journey, Harry’s story begins in the ordinary world. Harry lives a muggle (aka ordinary) life in the mundane, normal world at Number 4 Privet Drive. His location at the beginning of the series is England, a popular and well-known setting. Granted, Harry is forced to sleep in a cupboard under the stairs, and his relatives treat him appallingly, but that is sad, rather than astonishing. Harry’s life, devoid of magic, is unremarkable at this stage, which serves as a stark contrast to the magical world he will soon enter.

2. Harry and the Call to Adventure

At some point, every hero must leave their ordinary world and venture into the unknown and, for Harry, this call to adventure arrives in the form of his Hogwarts letter – an official invitation to become a student at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The letter is delivered by an owl, which is our first sign that Harry’s ‘normal’ life is about to change. While his aunt and uncle do everything they can to prevent it, the owls keep coming, because the call to adventure is inevitable.

3. Harry’s Refusal of the Call

Refusing the call is a crucial stage in the hero’s journey. It highlights the hero is initially hesitant to accept their fate. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (or Sorcerer’s Stone, depending on which version you read) Harry does not outright refuse the call, but his aunt and uncle try to avoid it. They even go so far as to hide Harry in a remote cabin on an island to avoid the letters. Harry’s initial willingness to go along with it shows his self-doubt and highlights that he feels unworthy. Harry will spend much of his journey trying to overcome these feelings of inadequacy.

4. Harry Meets the Mentor

In the context of the hero’s journey, the mentor is a guide who offers the hero wisdom and support. The mentor helps the hero to navigate the new and unknown world and aids them in their journey. Harry has multiple mentors throughout the series. Hagrid, who first introduces him to the wizarding world, and who also enlightens him as to his true identity. Who can forget that famous line “Yer a wizard, Harry.” Later, Dumbledore becomes Harry’s primary mentor. His advice and wisdom serve as is often cryptic

For Harry, the mentor is none other than the gentle giant, Hagrid. Hagrid not only introduces Harry to the wizarding world but also provides him with insight into his true identity. He tells Harry about his parents – a topic Harry has always craved to know more about. Later, Dumbledore takes on the role of mentor, offering Harry deep wisdom, guidance, and (sometimes cryptic!) advice. Both Dumbledore and Hagrid provide Harry with the knowledge and confidence he needs to become the ‘chosen one’ he was always meant to be.

5. Harry Crosses the Threshold

Crossing the threshold is the point of no return. This is when the hero commits to the journey and steps out into the great unknown. In Harry Potter, this happens when he boards the Hogwarts Express. When he runs through the barrier and steps onto Platform 9¾, Harry leaves the muggle world well and truly behind him. He will return, of course, but his naivete and belief in the mundane is gone forever. At Hogwarts, Harry finds a world filled with magic and excitement. Platform 9¾ is the literal threshold in this book. Once he has crossed it, Harry cannot forget or unlearn about the wizarding world.

6. Harry faces Tests, Allies, and Enemies

This stage is a busy season! Our hero faces trials, finds friends and allies, and makes enemies. Everything in this stage is designed to challenge the hero and force him or her to grow. At Hogwarts, Harry finds Ron and Hermione, who become both his best friends and partners in crime. The three are inseparable from book one, when the defeat of the troll in the dungeon cements their friendship. Other allies include Professor McGonagall, Sirius, Remus, Luna, and the Weasley family. Every one of these characters plays a role in Harry’s journey. As do the enemies he encounters along the way – Draco and Lucius Malfoy, Severus Snape, and ultimately, Lord Voldemort.

7. Harry’s Approach

The approach is how the hero prepares for a significant challenge or ordeal. In Harry’s case, each book in the series features a major trial such as obtaining the philosopher’s stone, finding the chamber of secrets, or competing in the tri-wizard tournament. These challenges (or ordeals) force Harry to face his fears and rely on his allies for help.

8. Harry’s Ordeal

The ordeal represents the hero’s greatest challenge. It is the peak of the hero’s journey. Harry faces many challenges throughout the book series – defeating the basilisk, battling dementors, and even falling out with Ron. But every one of these challenges is preparing him for the final confrontation with Voldemort where Harry will face his final ordeal, and his greatest fear – death.

9. Harry’s Reward

After every ordeal, comes a reward. The hero receives a reward or achieves a goal, which symbolizes growth and victory over adversity. Harry faces many ordeals, so his rewards are numerous – he learns about his past, gains friends, and wins prizes like points for Gryffindor. The best reward though is Harry’s survival and victory over Voldemort, which results in a reward for the entire wizarding world.

10. Harry’s Road Back

The road back represents the hero’s return to their ordinary world. For Harry, this happens after the battle of Hogwarts, when he must come to terms with the heartbreaking loss of friends and loved ones, and the destruction of the school he has come to consider home. The road back is never easy, and Harry has to face some tough realities about his future.

11. Harry’s Resurrection

The resurrection is the final test. For Harry, this happens in the epic scene in the Forbidden Forest, when he confronts Voldemort. To save his friends, Harry allows Voldemort to “kill” him, but he is resurrected through his selflessness and his mother’s love. Hovering between life and death, Harry meets his mentor, Dumbledore, who again offers him sage wisdom. Harry survives and emerges from his deathlike state with a profound understanding of love, sacrifice, and choice. He comes back much stronger, and ready to face Voldemort again in his role as a true hero.

12. Harry Returns with the Elixir

The return with the elixir is the final stage, where the hero returns to the ordinary world with knowledge or a tangible object. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry returns with the knowledge that love is truly the greatest power of all, even more than the objects he used to defeat Lord Voldemort. At the closing of the series, he understands that our choices define us more than our abilities. Harry’s victory over Voldemort brings peace and unity to the wizarding world, but Harry has changed, too – he has transformed into a hero who has fulfilled his destiny and learned to look forward to the future.

Applying the Hero’s Journey to Your Writing

As you can see, Harry’s journey serves as a clear example of how to apply the hero’s journey to your narrative. By examining how J.K. Rowling has used the framework, you can draw inspiration for your own characters’ story arcs, and plot a hero’s journey that will draw readers in and keep them riveted, whether you’re writing a fantasy, a thriller, or a romantic comedy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)