Transcript The Hero`s Journey in Finding Nemo

FINDING NEMO and the
HERO’S JOURNEY
How are they linked? How does the film follow the cycle?
The Steps in the Hero’s Journey Cycle
1. Status Quo
7. Crisis
2. The Call to Adventure
8. Treasure
3. Assistance
9. Result
4. Departure
10. Return
5. Trials
11. New Life
6. Approach
12. Resolution
Marlin and Nemo are living there normal life in a normal world.
Marlin is excited
about new home,
waiting for
new eggs to
hatch.
Nemo is excited to go to
school. Marlin is nervous
to let him leave their
comfort zone.
STEP 1 – STATUS QUO
STEP 2 – THE CALL TO ADVENTURE
Challenge:
Marlin has to
rescue him!
Problem: Nemo is out in the open ocean and is
caught by the men in the boat!
Sometimes this
includes the
“Refusal of the
Call”. The hero is
afraid, and
refuses to take
part.
Ex. Marlin is
scared of the
open sea.
The mentor is Dory who plays the part of a good trickster, using her
humor to overcome her weakness as a forgetful character. (physical
memory loss) Through Dory, Marlin will learn how to NOT be afraid and
to learn to let go and let Nemo take some risk. He must learn to
believe in Nemo.
STEP 3 - ASSISTANCE
STEP 4 - DEPARTURE
Marlin leaves his
comfortable, safe
zone and swims after
Nemo. He continues
to follow the boat,
even in the wide open
ocean!
The shark who
says they are
friends
Dory is forgetful, which can make
things difficult 
Marlin learns lessons
while he is inside the
whale
Becomes friends with
Crush, who helps him in
his journey to find Nemo
STEP 5- TRIALS (TESTS, ALLIES and ENEMIES)
STEP 6 - APPROACH
The hero has hit setbacks during their trials and may need to
reorganize their helpers or rekindle morale as they move
closer to their goal…
Marlin believes Nemo is dead.
He says goodbye to Dory and
swims away.
Dory rekindles
Marlin’s hope when
she finds Nemo alive.
Marlin returns to save Dory form the jellies. The jellyfish stings
Marlin and almost dies, but he survives and recovers and gets
help from Crush to make it through the currents. He
experiences a rebirth to continue his journey. Marlin also is
able to witness how Crush is able to let his son go and take risk
when the boy turtles get knocked out of the current.
The biggest life or death crisis – the hero faces their biggest fear.
Sometimes this involves them experiencing “death” and “rebirth”,
experiencing even greater powers to see the journey through to the end
STEP 7 - CRISIS
STEP 8 - TREASURE
Nemo gets out of the tank and
his free in the ocean. Both Dory
and Marlin think he is dead, but
Nemo survives death (from the
hands of Darla) Dory helps
him find his dad, who returns
when he hears Nemo’s cry.
Marlin and Nemo are re-united!
The hero has survived death, overcome their greatest fear and now
earns the reward they sought.
STEP 9 - RETURN
The hero must recommit to completing the journey & travel the road back
to the Ordinary World. The dramatic question is asked again. This
sometimes includes another challenge for the hero to overcome.
Marlin is put to the test to see if he has learned his
lesson. Dory is caught in a net and Nemo wants to
save her, but Marlin is reluctant to let Nemo go. He
finally realizes that he must let Nemo grow up and
take some risk. He must also have confidence in
Nemo so he can save Dory. Nemo draws from his
lessons in the tank and uses an idea that Gil used to
break away from the net.
Marlin must now apply everything
he has learned when he thinks
that Nemo is dead. Marlin realizes
his mistake. He apologizes to
Nemo for not believing in him.
Marlin learns to let go and believe
that all will work out in the end.
The hero faces the most dangerous meeting with death – this shows
the hero can apply the lessons they have learned and can bring back
their new wisdom when they return to their ordinary world/life
STEP 10 - RESULT
Marlin brings Nemo back to the ordinary world
and applies the lessons he has learned. He allows
Nemo to go to school without fear, which allows
him to live a happier life. The lesson learned is that
the challenges of life can be applied to everyday
living in the ordinary world.
STEP 11/12 – NEW LIFE and RESOLUTION
Sometimes these steps are separate, but sometimes they are put together in the story
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Sometimes the cycle starts all over again (implied at the
ending of the moving, in the sequel, etc.)
The cycle is meant to be a symbol of the challenges,
adventures, etc that heros go through repeatedly in life (in
movies, stories, in our everyday lives!)
Think of a film you enjoy that follows the Hero’s Journey cycle.
Remember…
Sometimes the order of the steps are slightly different
In some cases, the steps are a little harder to realize. This will take some
detective work and insite from you, but it will be fun. 
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!