Elements of the Epic Hero Cycle - Higley Unified School ...



Epic Hero Cycle

Fill out this chart with examples of the elements as depicted in The Maze Runner. In the second column, find examples from another book or film that you consider to be an epic. Place the title of your book or film in the second column.

|Element |The Maze Runner | |

| | | |

|The main character is a hero, who is often | | |

|possessed of supernatural abilities or | | |

|qualities. | | |

| | | |

|The hero is charged with a quest. | | |

| | | |

|The hero is tested, often to prove the | | |

|worthiness of himself and his quest. | | |

| | | |

|The presence of numerous mythical beings, | | |

|magical and helpful animals. The hero is | | |

|victorious over a monster. | | |

| | | |

|The hero crosses a body of water or travels| | |

|into another world. | | |

| | | |

|The cycle must reach a low point where the | | |

|hero nearly gives up his quest or appears | | |

|defeated. | | |

|A resurrection. The hero finds strength to| | |

|continue. | | |

|Restitution. Often this takes the form of | | |

|the hero regaining his rightful place on | | |

|the throne. | | |

| | | |

|Element |The Maze Runner | |

| | | |

|The hero is naïve and inexperienced. | | |

| | | |

|The hero has a strange, wise being or | | |

|person as a mentor/sage. | | |

| | | |

|The hero yearns for the beautiful lady who | | |

|is sometimes his source of inspiration. | | |

| | | |

|The origin of the hero is mysterious or the| | |

|hero losses his/her parents at a young age.| | |

|The hero goes through a rite of passage or | | |

|initiation. | | |

|The hero struggles for something valuable | | |

|and important. | | |

|The hero has a loyal band of companions or | | |

|followers. | | |

|The hero makes a stirring speech to his or | | |

|her companions or followers. | | |

| | | |

| | | |

|The hero engages in a test or contests of | | |

|strength. | | |

| | | |

| | | |

|The hero suffers a wound, sometimes | | |

|emotional or spiritual from which the hero | | |

|never completely recovers. | | |

After you have completed the chart, it is time for you to create an outline proving your example is an epic. Your outline will be evaluated based on using the correct outline format (50%) and on your ideas (50%). There are only two complete sentences in an outline: the thesis statement and the conclusion. Everything else is topics and phrases. See the sample and the checklist for the correct outline format.

Outline Checklist

_______ Title is centered (your topic)

_______ Thesis Statement is labeled (left margin)

_______ Double-spaced throughout

_______ Roman numeral system used

_______ Indentations line up

_______ Capitalize first words

_______ Periods after Roman numerals / letters

_______ Topics / phrases, not sentences

_______ Conclusion statement is labeled (left margin)

_______ If A, then B; if 1, then 2

______/15

Ideas Checklist

_______ Strong topic choice

_______ Explanations prove thesis

_______ Covers all elements

_______ Uses specific examples

_______ Shows understanding of epic hero cycle

_______Original writing

_______/15 points

The Epic Cycle of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Thesis Statement: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian follows the epic hero cycle.

I. Hero’s qualities

A. Highly intelligent

B. Sense of humor

C. Brave

II. Quest for a good education

A. Finds his mother’s name in geometry book

B. Leaves reservation

C. Attends white high school

III. Tests of the hero

A. Angers best friend

B. Deals with racism

C. Tribe ostracizes him

D. Lives in poverty

E. Death of family and friends

1. Grandmother Spirit

2. Eugene (his father’s friend)

3. Mary (his sister)

F. Alcohol/Alcoholism

1. Causes death

a. Grandmother hit by drunk driver

b. Eugene shot by friend

c. Mary dies in fire

2. Alcoholic father

a. Leaves at Christmas

b. Money on alcohol, not food

IV. Helpers and Companions

A. Supportive parents

B. Gordy – homework help

C. Penelope – emotional support

D. Roger – financial & emotional support

V. Supernatural World of Reardan High School

VI. Low point

A. Grandmother’s death

B. Eugene’s death

VII. Resurrection

A. Students protest teacher

B. Plays basketball with Rowdy

VIII. Restitution

A. Gets good grades

B. Makes up with Rowdy

Conclusion: Junior faces his struggles bravely, just like an epic hero should.

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