This is why I’m glad I didn’t go to school for creative writing, because then I’d subconsciously keep these archetypes in the back of my mind, like constricting leg braces on Forrest Gump. Paul mentioned that he wished to know only Jesus Christ and Him crucified, which actually encompasses all things in all reality but viewed through the lens of the future recapitulation and redemption of all things, or something like that. Or maybe there’s a secondary meaning of simply advising not to study too hard into worldly things, and to not place the wisdom of the world up high on a pedestal as if it were the Gospel.
Last week I saw two very influential and impressive people chatting on youtube and one was familiarizing the other with J Campbell. Noooo, I thought, not another one! I searched the web for "andrew klavan hero's journey" and never did find a nice comforting essay to soothe my soul with some truth and beauty. I knew it! I just needed to wait a few days...
Thanks, Karen. And I differ from other commentators on Campbell in having actually read almost every word he ever wrote, as opposed to just the Wikipedia entry on Hero With a Thousand Faces. For some reason, this gives me a more nuanced and critical perspective. Go figure.
Maybe I don’t need to worry so over good guys who make it 95% of the way to the foot of the cross. Your recent controversial words on JPeterson and Ben Shapiro have this mother’s heart something to ponder
Ha! I actually knew that because I am the wacko (I am sure someone from DW let you know about this - there must be some red alert or something for people like me) who has been rewatching the Andrew Klavan show since its humble 2015 beginnings. And in episode 16 - The Hero’s journey which I just listened to today ( non-coincidentally I am sure) you talk about this as well as the posthumous smearing of Campbell because he was a pre-Buckley era conservative and his subsequent lib-washing after his work became so popular that everyone just pretends its left wing alligned.
Thank you for sharing this - I went back and listened. Andrew always had such amazing insights. We are blessed that his faith in God has kept him strong to live his values. I always have hope after listening. And he is always good for a few laughs.
Never has a Klavan been sooo wrong! The Star Wars Saga is the story of a son who faces the same dilemmas and pitfalls as lead his father down the wrong path and not only triumphs but saves his father and leads him to redemption. It has so many facets to the tale. Just the lightsaber fight in The Empire Strikes Back alone has so much depth. I won’t go into everything here as so much has been written already if you care to look.
Ulysses on the other hand is possibly the worst “novel” ever written. It is about nothing. It is a tribute to the author’s own intellect. It is self glory. It shows Joyce to be exactly as Milton’s satan. An intellect that fell in love with itself. The last three hours without any punctuation were interminable. The masturbation scene was simply to gain publicity. It is a despicable waste of paper and I cannot believe you actually enjoyed it.
This is the most adamant I have ever been that you are 100% wrong and I agree with almost everything else you say. I’m shocked I tell you. Shocked. Now, go watch Star Wars again and pay attention this time.
Good points about myth and story....but I like Star Wars, mostly for the handsome Han Solo. It's good, clean, and imaginative entertainment that came along as most movies were generally stinking up the genre.
I remember reading Joseph Campbell's 'Transformations of Myth Through Time' in my philosophy class and thinking that the goal was to get you to question the existence of God. However, I came out of it with a certainty of the existence of God. Civilizations, all scattered through time and geography and not connected to one another, still followed similar patterns of searching for something greater. So, your column today reminded me of this, and then I got to thinking: if that's true, if it's all a part of us, is it kind of like an organ to the body? And if so, which organ would that be? Then, I had a funny thought that perhaps it’s the appendix. It’s kind of benign unless it gets inflamed and bursts, leaking poisons through your the body.
Great analogy. And "man" thought the appendix wasn't needed - "It is an organ that is credited with very little significance and often removed indiscriminately to avoid complications due to infection. However, modern researchers believe that the appendix has many key functions in the human body and it protects the body's internal environment from infection." Man thinks God would make something in the body that is not needed, but it stops infections. It get's inflammed because people abuse their bodies and the organ gets overwhelmeed. Instead of fixing our health, we remove the symptom. Sounds like the Left.
Once you see the MonoMyth in one story, you notice it everywhere. Certainly, in almost every epic. You might think Titanic is a love story. No, it’s an adventure. Jack’s quest is for the love of the beautiful Rose. Rose’s quest is to break free of the chains of the Gilded Age society—and her fiancé and overbearing mother.
But LOTR is something different. But that is probably a tale for TNJ to span the entire summer. 🤷🏼♂️
Nice try, whippersnapper. Star Wars came out in 1977. One of us is stuck in the past! (Just so we're clear, I'm only teasing you. You're welcome to come here and make old man jokes. In fact, we'd miss you if you didn't.)
The emphasis on the hero’s journey in Star Wars is a bit of a misnomer. Lucas didn’t read the book until late in production. The plot is derived from from Kurosawa’s “Hidden Fortress.” That Star Wars so closely follows the hero’s journey is a testament to the truth of Campbell’s insights regarding both human nature and the essential elements of narrative structure.
Oh this just begs for a biting satire, with plenty of third-wall breaking, such as “Wait! You cannot cross the threshold until the supernatural aid arrives!”
This is why I’m glad I didn’t go to school for creative writing, because then I’d subconsciously keep these archetypes in the back of my mind, like constricting leg braces on Forrest Gump. Paul mentioned that he wished to know only Jesus Christ and Him crucified, which actually encompasses all things in all reality but viewed through the lens of the future recapitulation and redemption of all things, or something like that. Or maybe there’s a secondary meaning of simply advising not to study too hard into worldly things, and to not place the wisdom of the world up high on a pedestal as if it were the Gospel.
Last week I saw two very influential and impressive people chatting on youtube and one was familiarizing the other with J Campbell. Noooo, I thought, not another one! I searched the web for "andrew klavan hero's journey" and never did find a nice comforting essay to soothe my soul with some truth and beauty. I knew it! I just needed to wait a few days...
Thanks, Karen. And I differ from other commentators on Campbell in having actually read almost every word he ever wrote, as opposed to just the Wikipedia entry on Hero With a Thousand Faces. For some reason, this gives me a more nuanced and critical perspective. Go figure.
Maybe I don’t need to worry so over good guys who make it 95% of the way to the foot of the cross. Your recent controversial words on JPeterson and Ben Shapiro have this mother’s heart something to ponder
Ha! I actually knew that because I am the wacko (I am sure someone from DW let you know about this - there must be some red alert or something for people like me) who has been rewatching the Andrew Klavan show since its humble 2015 beginnings. And in episode 16 - The Hero’s journey which I just listened to today ( non-coincidentally I am sure) you talk about this as well as the posthumous smearing of Campbell because he was a pre-Buckley era conservative and his subsequent lib-washing after his work became so popular that everyone just pretends its left wing alligned.
Thank you for sharing this - I went back and listened. Andrew always had such amazing insights. We are blessed that his faith in God has kept him strong to live his values. I always have hope after listening. And he is always good for a few laughs.
Never has a Klavan been sooo wrong! The Star Wars Saga is the story of a son who faces the same dilemmas and pitfalls as lead his father down the wrong path and not only triumphs but saves his father and leads him to redemption. It has so many facets to the tale. Just the lightsaber fight in The Empire Strikes Back alone has so much depth. I won’t go into everything here as so much has been written already if you care to look.
Ulysses on the other hand is possibly the worst “novel” ever written. It is about nothing. It is a tribute to the author’s own intellect. It is self glory. It shows Joyce to be exactly as Milton’s satan. An intellect that fell in love with itself. The last three hours without any punctuation were interminable. The masturbation scene was simply to gain publicity. It is a despicable waste of paper and I cannot believe you actually enjoyed it.
This is the most adamant I have ever been that you are 100% wrong and I agree with almost everything else you say. I’m shocked I tell you. Shocked. Now, go watch Star Wars again and pay attention this time.
xxx
Good points about myth and story....but I like Star Wars, mostly for the handsome Han Solo. It's good, clean, and imaginative entertainment that came along as most movies were generally stinking up the genre.
I remember reading Joseph Campbell's 'Transformations of Myth Through Time' in my philosophy class and thinking that the goal was to get you to question the existence of God. However, I came out of it with a certainty of the existence of God. Civilizations, all scattered through time and geography and not connected to one another, still followed similar patterns of searching for something greater. So, your column today reminded me of this, and then I got to thinking: if that's true, if it's all a part of us, is it kind of like an organ to the body? And if so, which organ would that be? Then, I had a funny thought that perhaps it’s the appendix. It’s kind of benign unless it gets inflamed and bursts, leaking poisons through your the body.
Great analogy. And "man" thought the appendix wasn't needed - "It is an organ that is credited with very little significance and often removed indiscriminately to avoid complications due to infection. However, modern researchers believe that the appendix has many key functions in the human body and it protects the body's internal environment from infection." Man thinks God would make something in the body that is not needed, but it stops infections. It get's inflammed because people abuse their bodies and the organ gets overwhelmeed. Instead of fixing our health, we remove the symptom. Sounds like the Left.
Once you see the MonoMyth in one story, you notice it everywhere. Certainly, in almost every epic. You might think Titanic is a love story. No, it’s an adventure. Jack’s quest is for the love of the beautiful Rose. Rose’s quest is to break free of the chains of the Gilded Age society—and her fiancé and overbearing mother.
But LOTR is something different. But that is probably a tale for TNJ to span the entire summer. 🤷🏼♂️
Okay Grandpa. Time for your Jello.
Nice try, whippersnapper. Star Wars came out in 1977. One of us is stuck in the past! (Just so we're clear, I'm only teasing you. You're welcome to come here and make old man jokes. In fact, we'd miss you if you didn't.)
I've never questioned Andrew Kleven's sanity until I read the title of this article.
By the way, C-3PO’s one leg from the knee down is silver. Now you’ll never unsee it.
The emphasis on the hero’s journey in Star Wars is a bit of a misnomer. Lucas didn’t read the book until late in production. The plot is derived from from Kurosawa’s “Hidden Fortress.” That Star Wars so closely follows the hero’s journey is a testament to the truth of Campbell’s insights regarding both human nature and the essential elements of narrative structure.
The opening two sentences in this one actually made me laugh out loud. Haha
Oh this just begs for a biting satire, with plenty of third-wall breaking, such as “Wait! You cannot cross the threshold until the supernatural aid arrives!”