Heroes exist in a world that is considered ordinary or uneventful by those who live there. Often the heroes are considered odd by those in the ordinary world and possess some ability or characteristic that makes them feel out-of-place.
What is the Ordinary World?
As they embark on their journey, the heroes enter a world they have never experienced before. Very often it is filled with supernatural creatures, breathtaking sights, and the constant threat of death. Unlike the heroes’ home, this outside world has its own rules, and they quickly learn to respect these rules as their endurance, strength, and mettle are tested time and time again.
What is Crossing the Threshold/Entering the Unknown?
Mr. Dursley tries to keep these from Harry due to his fear of anything out of the ordinary.
What are Harry's invitations to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?
What is an example of a man vs man conflict?
What is Harry vs. Malfoy in a Wizards' duel. or What is Voldemort vs. infant Harry or Harry vs. Dudley, Piers Polkiss, and the other bullies. etc...?
The importance of family: Contrast Harry's family in the muggle world (where he is miserable) to his family at Hogwarts (where he becomes a hero figure).
What is in the muggle world he is neglected and abused by his aunt and uncle, who consider him a burden. At Hogwarts he has a father (Dumbledore), a mother (Hagrid), and a brother and sister (Ron and Hermoine) that support and love him?
For heroes to begin their journeys, they must be called away from the ordinary world. Fantastic quests don’t happen in everyday life. Heroes must be removed from their typical environment.
What is the Call to Adventure?
Every hero needs a helper, much like every superhero needs a sidekick. Without the assistance of their companions and helpers along the way, most heroes would fail miserably.
What are Allies/Helpers?
How Harry gets assigned to Gryffindor House at Hogwarts.
What is the Sorting Hat?
An example of Man vs. Nature
What is Harry vs. Fluffy the three-headed dog. or What is The kids vs. Hagrid's dragon or What is Harry vs. the forbidden forrest?
Faith - What Harry must do to pass from the muggle world to the magic world and board the Hogwarts' Express.
What is run at the brick wall between platforms nine and ten. He must not be afraid and trust he will come out the other side unharmed?
During the Call to Adventure heroes are given a task or quest which only they can complete. They are faced with a choice: accept the quest or deny it.
What is the Refusal?
The heroes progress through a series of tests, a set of obstacles that make them stronger, preparing them for their final showdown. At long last they reach the Supreme Ordeal, the obstacle they have journeyed so far to overcome.
What are Tests and the Supreme Ordeal?
The main way Harry gains confidence and popularity while at Hogwarts.
What is he becomes seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch team?
An example of man vs. himself.
What is Harry being hesitant to jump through the wall between platforms nine and ten? or What is Hermoine's (or Hagrid's) struggle to believe that a Hogwarts teacher could be involved in something sinister?
The Dangers of Desire: What is reflected in the Mirror of Erised?
What is a persons deepest desires. That which they want more than anything in the world?
Heroes are almost always started on their journey by a character who has mastered the laws of the outside world and come back to bestow this wisdom upon them.
What is the Mentor/Helper/Supernatural Aid?
Typically, there is a reward given to heroes for passing the Supreme Ordeal.
What is the Reward and the Journey Home?
Three things that Harry must conquer to get the Sorcerer's Stone.
What is... Fluffy the three-headed dog The Devil's Snare plant The flying keys Enchanted Chess Snape's enchanted room with the logic puzzle and potions The Mirror of Erised?
An example of man vs. fate.
hat is Harry struggling with his celebrity in the wizard world after being nobody special in the muggle world. or What is Harry's Struggle with the expectations of "wizardn' folk" that he will become a great and powerful wizard.?
The Value of Humility: Give three examples of Harry being humble or modest
What is When Harry realizes he is famous he hopes only to live up to the expectations. Whe Harry wins the Quidditch match in record time he rushes off ignoring the roar of the crowd. He wants the Sorcerer's Stone not for personal gain or power, but for the common good?
Once the adventure is accepted, the heroes advance into the next stage of their journey.
What is Accepting the Call?
The stage of the hero's journey in which the hero can move seamlessly between the two worlds, without destroying or compromising either.
What is the Master of Two Worlds?
The extra points awarded to Gryffindor to win the House Championship away from Slytherin.
What is Ron Weasley - 50 points for best chess game. Hermoine Granger - 50 points for use of cool logic under fire. Harry Potter - 60 points for outstanding courage. Neville Longbottom - 10 points for courage to stand up to his friends?
An example of man vs. society.
What is Ron Weasley struggling against the perception of being poor or What is Neville's struggle against teasing and bullying classmates or The struggle between "Wizardn' Folk" and Muggles?
The Occasional Necessity of Rebellion: Give two examples of characters breaking rules for the right reasons.
What is The kids enter the third-floor corridor in the full knowledge that it is forbidden territory. or Harry dons the invisibility cloak to inspect the restricted-books section of the library. Professor Mcgonagall gives Harry a Nimbus 2000 when first-years are not have broomsticks. or Hagrid is engaged in an illegal dragon-rearing endeavor. etc.?