Final answer:
The abbreviated Hero's Journey taught in class comes from Christopher Vogler, who wrote 'The Writer's Journey', adapting Joseph Campbell's theory of the Monomyth into a practical guide for writers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Christopher Vogler's adaptation of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth, as presented in "The Writer's Journey," has become a foundational framework for understanding and creating narratives. In Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces," he explored the concept of the Monomyth, a universal template for hero stories found in myths across cultures. Campbell identified common stages in the hero's journey, such as the call to adventure, the ordeal, and the return with the elixir.
However, the complexity of Campbell's theory made it challenging for practical application, especially in fields like screenwriting. Christopher Vogler addressed this issue by distilling Campbell's ideas into a more accessible and practical form. In his work, Vogler outlined a simplified, step-by-step guide that writers, particularly screenwriters, could follow to structure their stories effectively.
Vogler's adaptation retains the essence of Campbell's Monomyth but breaks it down into twelve stages, making it easier for writers to grasp and implement. These stages include the hero's ordinary world, the call to adventure, meeting the mentor, facing tests and trials, and ultimately returning transformed. Vogler's contribution lies in the practicality of his approach, offering a clear roadmap for writers to navigate the hero's journey within their narratives.
The impact of Vogler's work extends beyond the confines of literature. It has become a valuable tool in the realm of screenwriting, where structure and storytelling efficiency are crucial. By providing a user-friendly guide based on Campbell's profound but intricate ideas, Vogler has empowered writers to craft compelling and resonant stories that resonate with audiences across different cultures and time periods. As a result, "The Writer's Journey" serves as a bridge between the timeless wisdom of mythological storytelling and the contemporary demands of the entertainment industry.