2/20 OD Work Book Notes

1

Part II Initiation

Part III - The Return is when our hero is ready to return home and claim
their rightful place. The journey is coming to a close. The final part of
the hero’s journey consists of:

The Return Home

Resurrection

Return with the Elixir

2

The Return Home

The Return Home

🎯

Just like the hero had to cross over the threshold and into the
“special world,” he/she must once again cross over the
threshold to return home as a true hero.

🎯

In some cases, there may still be challenges that the hero faces
during their return home - this could be other enemies, or even
just the repercussions of their actions.

🎯

Some heroes return home and find that they no longer wish to
stay there, but they usually return home for at least a little while.

Alternative Names:The Road Back

3

The Return Home

The Return Home

Notable Examples

Belle

(Beauty and

the Beast)

The beast releases Belle and she
finally returns to the village and
her father, only to find that the
villagers have formed an angry
mob to attack the beast.

4

Resurrection

Resurrection

🎯

In some instances, the resurrection can be the true climax of the story.
It could refer to the final battle or near brush with death; after which
they rise up stronger than ever.

🎯

In other instances, the resurrection is replaced with the character’s
mastery of two worlds, or new life. This is when the hero has to
reconcile all of his/her experiences from the journey with life at home.

🎯

Sometimes the hero finds a way to balance both his/her old life with
their new role, and other times they cannot and decide to leave their
old life behind for good.

Alternative Names:Resolution, Mastery of Two Worlds, New Life

5

Notable Examples

Harry
Potter
(The Deathly

Hallows)

Harry dies (or at least the part of
him that was Voldemort’s horcrux
dies) and Harry returns free from
Voldemort’s reign to defeat him
once and for all.

Resurrection

Resurrection

6

Return with Elixir

Return with Elixir

🎯

Elixir in this case can refer to treasure, potions, love,
wisdom, or even just the experience the hero has
had.

🎯

At the end of their journey the elixir can help to bring
closure to the hero’s journey and help to restore
balance to the world.

🎯

This step completes the cycle of the journey and the
hero’s return to the ordinary world, or the status quo.

Alternative Names:Status Quo, Resolution

7

Notable Examples

Elsa
(Frozen)

Anna and Elsa are finally
reunited and Elsa is able to use
her powers (elixir) for good and
she returns to her role as queen
of Arrendele.

Return with Elixir

Return with Elixir

8

​Go to pg 8 and complete the Hero's Journey for Odysseus

​Complete the Character Map