Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
standard for what a movie could be.
As I began to teach "mythic structure," the film provided a convenient,
widely seen example to demonstrate the movements and principles o f the Hero's
Journey, in which the function of the parts were simple, clear, and vivid. It entered
the language of pop culture, providing useful metaphors, symbols, and phrases that
expressed how we all felt about good and evil, technology and faith. It spawned a
billion-dollar industry of sequels, prequels, ancillaries, franchises, and a whole uni
verse of toys, games, and collectibles. Entire generations have grown up under its
influence, and it has inspired countless artists to think big and pursue their dreams
of creativity. It filled the same function for millions that the old myths did, giving
standards for comparison, providing metaphors and meaning, inspiring people to
stretch beyond their earthly bounds.