Story Structure and The Monomyth

Class Description

Joseph Campbell’s “Hero of a Thousand Faces” has influenced writers and filmmakers for decades. The book accesses centuries of myth and culture to reveal that all stories follow a similar pattern. By understanding that pattern, the writer can deeply connect with their audience. “The Monomyth” has been used by creators such as George Lucas, Lana and Lilly Wachowski, Ryan Coogler, Neil Gaiman, Tomi Adeyemi and Philip Pullman and has influenced films such as the Life of Pi and Darren Aranofsky’s “Black Swan”.

By the end of this seminar, writers will have a better understanding of the seventeen stages of the Monomyth and be able to use these archetypical scenes to add power and meaning to their work.

We will discuss the various stages of the Monomyth while using examples from novels and films to illustrate each stage. During the question and answer segment, students may discuss their work in order to see how the Monomyth fits their writing.

This seminar is perfect for novelists, screenwriters and short story writers interested in using the power of myth to enhance their writing.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

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