MONOMYTH: The Big Picture

Grade and Subject:

9-10, English Language Arts: Reading, Writing, and Understanding Literature

Common Core State Standards (CCSS):

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Essential Questions:

1. What defines Monomyth and who developed the theory?

2. What are the two essential structural elements of Monomyth?

3. Monomyth is considered a theory—is this structure necessary for storytelling? Why or why not?

Measurable Objectives of Lesson (SWBAT: Students Will Be Able to):

1. Students will be able to identify the specific aspects of Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth—Archetypes and The Hero’s Journey.

2. Students will be able to discuss as a group the characteristics of each point on the timetable of monomyth, and compare and contrast the elements using at least two popular story examples.

3. Students will develop a plan for their favorite story analysis diagram projects that includes specific information about which story they’ve chosen and why.

Evidence of Differentiated Instruction:

Students with kinesthetic learning preferences will have the opportunity to help draw the diagrams on the board using a variety of colors. They will also have the option of creating an art-based project to illustrate their understanding of Monomyth and its corresponding characteristics.

Grouping strategies:

1. Whole Group 

2. Small Group

3. Individual

Modalities:

1. Visual

2. Auditory

3. Kinesthetic

Materials:

1. Different colors of dry erase markers for board diagram

2. Pieces of letter-sized printer paper for individual diagrams

3. Colored pencils 

Key Vocabulary:

1. Archetype

2. Hero

3. Herald

4. Mentor

5. Threshold Guardians

6.Trickster

7. Shape-shifter

8. Shadow

Hook/Anticipatory Set: 

(5 minutes) Opening page video—Ted Ed lesson “What Makes a Hero?” Use as springboard to discussion and analysis. 

Teacher Instruction:

(15 minutes) Group discussion about the overview of monomyth. Draw the diagrams on the board and list the archetypal characters. Engage artistic/kinesthetic students, as time allows, in drawing the diagrams and list, using illustrations as desired.

Student Practice:

(20 minutes) Ask students to think of their favorite story and: 1. Diagram the plot according to monomyth, 2. Plug the characters into the archetypal list.

Assessment/Student Feedback: 

Formative assessment during discussion and as students create their favorite story analysis poster diagram.

Closure:

Favorite story analysis is added to portfolio upon which summative assessment is based.