How to Write a Hero’s Journey Essay Using Popular Literature: Step-by-Step Guide + Example

The Hero’s Journey, also known as the monomyth, is a timeless narrative structure used in myths, novels, and even Hollywood blockbusters. Coined by Joseph Campbell, this storytelling template follows a protagonist’s journey through stages of departure, trials, transformation, and return.

In this post, we’ll break down how to write a compelling Hero’s Journey essay—and demonstrate with a popular literature example: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling.

✏️ Step 1: Understand the 12 Stages of the Hero’s Journey

The Hero’s Journey typically includes these stages:

  1. Ordinary World

  2. Call to Adventure

  3. Refusal of the Call

  4. Meeting the Mentor

  5. Crossing the First Threshold

  6. Tests, Allies, Enemies

  7. Approach to the Inmost Cave

  8. Ordeal

  9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)

  10. The Road Back

  11. Resurrection

  12. Return with the Elixir

You don’t need to use all 12 in your essay, but focusing on key stages strengthens your analysis.

✨ Step 2: Choose Your Hero and Story

Pick a well-known literary work or character. Good examples include:

  • Harry Potter

  • The Hunger Games

  • Percy Jackson

  • The Lord of the Rings

  • The Odyssey

Let’s use Harry Potter for our example.

?‍♂️ Step 3: Map Out the Hero’s Journey in Your Chosen Story

Here’s how Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone fits the Hero’s Journey:

  • Ordinary World: Harry lives with the Dursleys, unaware of his magical heritage.

  • Call to Adventure: Hagrid delivers his Hogwarts letter.

  • Refusal of the Call: Initially, the Dursleys prevent him from going.

  • Meeting the Mentor: Hagrid introduces Harry to the wizarding world.

  • Crossing the Threshold: Harry boards the Hogwarts Express.

  • Tests, Allies, Enemies: He meets Ron and Hermione; faces Draco Malfoy and trolls.

  • Approach to the Inmost Cave: The trio descends into the trapdoor to find the Sorcerer’s Stone.

  • Ordeal: Harry confronts Professor Quirrell/Voldemort.

  • Reward: Harry protects the Stone and realizes the power of self-sacrifice.

  • Return with the Elixir: He returns to the Dursleys, forever changed.

? Step 4: Structure Your Essay

Introduction: Briefly introduce the Hero’s Journey and its importance in storytelling. Mention your chosen book and thesis.

Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph can cover one or more stages of the journey, providing examples from the text with analysis.

Conclusion: Summarize how the protagonist's journey follows the monomyth and how it shapes their character.

? Example Thesis Statement:

“In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling uses the Hero’s Journey structure to show how Harry transforms from a neglected child into a courageous leader by facing trials, forming alliances, and embracing his destiny.”

✅ Final Tips:

  • Use direct quotes or key moments from the book.

  • Avoid simply summarizing the plot—analyze how the journey changes the hero.

  • Compare the story’s stages with the original Hero’s Journey when appropriate.