WS102 Week 5: Hero’s Journey vs. Alternative Structures in Fantasy
The Shape of Stories
Every story follows a structure. Whether its the Hero’s Journey, a three-act arc, or a cyclical narrative, the way a story is structured determines how characters grow, conflicts unfold, and themes emerge.
Fantasy has long relied on The Hero’s Journey, a 12-step pattern identified by Joseph Campbell that outlines the universal arc of a protagonist. But many modern fantasy stories challenge this model by using alternative structures, offering new ways to experience transformation, conflict, and resolution.
📌This week, we’ll explore:
✔️What is The Hero’s Journey, and why is it so influential?
✔️How do alternative narrative structures change a fantasy story?
✔️Examples of traditional vs. subversive story structures.
✔️How to structure a key conflict or turning point in your own writing.
I. Understanding the Hero’s Journey
The Hero’sJourney is a narrative structure found in myths, epics, and many fantasy stories. Campbell believed that all great myths share a common structure, where a hero embarks on a journey, faces trials, and returns transformed.
The 12 Stages of The Hero’s Journey:
Ordinary World— The hero’s everyday life before the adventure.
Call to Adventure— A challenge or threat disrupts their world.
Refusal of the Call—The hero hesitates or doubts.
Meeting the Mentor—They receive guidance from a teacher or wise figure.
Crossing the Threshold— The hero enters the unknown world.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies—The hero faces challenges and makes allies.
Approach to the Inmost Cave—The hero prepares for their biggest challenge.
Ordeal— The hero faces a major crisis or near-death experience.
Reward (Seizing the Sword)— The hero gains knowledge, power, or treasure.
The Road Back—The hero begins their journey home.
Resurrection—The hero faces one last, final test.
Return with the Elixir—The hero brings back wisdom or change.
💕Examples of The Hero’s Journey in Fantasy:
Lord of the Rings: Frodo’s journey from the Shire to Mount Doom.
Star Wars: A New Hope: Luke Skywalker’s transformation into a Jedi.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: Harry enters the wizarding world and defeats Voldemort.
📌Craft Takeaway: The Hero’s Journey emphasizes personal transformation but what happens when a story follows a different path?
II. Alternative Fantasy Story Structures
Not all fantasy stories follow The Hero’s Journey. Some reject or reshape it, offering new ways for characters to experience change.
1. The Anti-Hero’s Journey
✔ The protagonist is NOT a traditional hero.
✔ Their transformation is not about redemption but survival, revenge, or corruption.
🔹 Example: The Broken Earth Trilogy (N.K. Jemisin)
Essun does not set out to save the world—she is just trying to survive.
Instead of triumph, she experiences trauma, loss, and systemic oppression.
🔹 Example: The Poppy War (R.F. Kuang)
Rin follows a downward spiral, not a redemptive arc.
Instead of “returning with the elixir,” she becomes a war criminal.
📌 Craft Takeaway: Not all heroes are good. What happens when transformation means destruction?
2. The Circular or Mythic Narrative
✔ Instead of a linear journey, the story follows a cyclical structure.
✔ Characters relive events or experience change as part of a repeating pattern.
🔹 Example: Who Fears Death (Nnedi Okorafor)
Onyesonwu’s journey echoes past cycles of violence and oppression.
Her fate is part of a larger mythic destiny rather than a clear resolution.
🔹 Example: One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel García Márquez)
History repeats itself, showing the inevitability of certain events.
📌 Craft Takeaway: Some stories are about fate and inevitability, not individual change.
3. The Multi-POV or Braided Narrative
✔ Instead of one hero, multiple perspectives shape the story.
✔ Readers see overlapping or contradictory versions of the same events.
🔹 Example: A Song of Ice and Fire (George R.R. Martin)
Multiple characters have their own arcs and conflicts, rather than a single protagonist.
There is no singular “hero” or “journey”—the story unfolds through power struggles.
🔹 Example: Cloud Atlas (David Mitchell)
Interwoven timelines and perspectives shape the story’s meaning.
📌 Craft Takeaway: What happens when there is no clear main hero? How does shifting perspective impact the reader’s understanding?
III. Case Study: Who Fears Death – Subverting Fantasy Archetypes
📖 This week’s reading: Who Fears Death (Part 2) by Nnedi Okorafor
Okorafor does NOT use a traditional Hero’s Journey structure. Instead, she blends:
✔ Mythic cycles
✔ Character-driven arcs
✔ Nonlinear storytelling
📌 Discussion:
How does Who Fears Death challenge traditional narrative structures?
How would the story feel different if it followed the classic Hero’s Journey?
IV. Building a Strong Conflict or Turning Point
Regardless of structure, every fantasy story needs key moments of conflict—whether a battle, revelation, betrayal, or moral choice.
📌 Elements of a Strong Conflict or Turning Point:
✔ The stakes are high. What does the protagonist risk losing?
✔ It forces change. Will they emerge stronger, broken, or different?
✔ It shifts the narrative direction. Does this moment change everything?
🔹 Examples:
✔ The Hobbit – Bilbo outsmarts Gollum, proving his resourcefulness.
✔ The Hunger Games – Katniss volunteers as tribute, changing her life forever.
✔ Mistborn – Vin chooses to trust a mentor, setting her on a dangerous path.
📌 Craft Takeaway: Your key conflict should reshape the character and story direction.
V. Crafting a Complex Protagonist or Antagonist
✔ They have clear desires, motivations, and conflicts.
✔ They grow and change over the course of the story.
✔ They make mistakes and face real consequences.
📌 Craft Takeaway: A great character is defined by their choices, not just their abilities.
V. Conclusion: Choosing the Right Structure for Your Story
📌 Key Takeaways:
✔ The Hero’s Journey is a classic formula, but it’s not the only one.
✔ Alternative structures challenge expectations and create new storytelling possibilities.
✔ A strong turning point forces characters to evolve, regardless of structure.
📚 To-Do This Week:
📖 Read Part 2 of Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
💬 WS102—Discussion 5: Hero’s Journey vs. Alternative Structures in Fantasy
📜 Prompt:
Fantasy stories often follow The Hero’s Journey, but many modern works break away from this model.
📌 Discussion Questions:
✔ What are the strengths and weaknesses of The Hero’s Journey?
✔ How does Who Fears Death challenge traditional story structures?
✔ Can you think of another fantasy story that uses an alternative structure?
📌 Requirements:
1️⃣ Reference Who Fears Death or another fantasy novel.
2️⃣ Discuss how narrative structure changes the reader’s experience.
3️⃣ Respond to at least one peer, engaging thoughtfully.
🔹 Example Post:
"I think The Hero’s Journey is useful for clear character growth, but it can feel predictable. Who Fears Death breaks this mold by using mythic storytelling and nonlinear elements. Another example is The Broken Earth Trilogy, where the protagonist isn’t on a traditional heroic quest but a fight for survival. What other fantasy books challenge the Hero’s Journey?"
✍ WS102—Activity 5: Outline a Key Conflict or Turning Point
🎯 Objective:
Develop a detailed outline of a key conflict or turning point in your story.
📤 Deliverable:
📌 Write a 1-2 page outline (300-500 words).
📌 Save as [YourName]_Activity5_ConflictOutline.
📌 Upload to Google Drive.
Next Week: Weaving Theme and Social Commentary into Fantasy
what happens when fantasy is more than whimsy! 🚀