Hero's journey

The structure of the "Hero's journey" is a recurring pattern of numerous events that heroes go through on their adventures. The first person to describe this was Joseph Campbell, an American mythologist, lecturer and writer, after researching  many myths from different times, places and cultures throughout history. In his studies, he found that not all of the stories were exactly the same, but they all followed the same basic principles of events. He described it as a cycle of predictable stages that a hero moves through. This "Hero cycle" is also known in literature as Monomyth. The basic version has 12 steps, while more detailed versions can have up to 17 steps. (The Hero's Journey Lesson Plans by Rebecca Ray) 

Part one - Call to Adventure

In this part, the hero is typically situated in their home or place well-known to him.  Some conflict arises that prompts the hero to embark on a journey. Sometimes they leave right away, sometimes they strugglesabout whether to go. Eventually, they change their mind, and the journey begins. 

Part two - Supreme Ordeal or Initation

The hero ventures into an unknown world full of mysteries and potential dangers. To their aid comes a mentor, someone who helps them on their journey. Together, they cross the point of no return and that's when the real journey begins. Along with that first encounters appear, tests, makes friends and encounters enemies. 

Part three - Unification or Transformation

After passing the inital tests and challenges, the hero continues to the harder part of his journey, approaching their first dangerous quest. While doing so, they come close to losing their life, but in the end, they make it through. In that section are mostly the greatest fears revealed. After completing the task, the hero and his group receive their reward.  

Part four - Road back or Hero's return

The hardships are not over, While traveling back home, the hero with his group encounte smaller obstacles in which they lose and then find their reward again. Upon returning home, the hero realizes his own transformation, which has made him a better person with renewed self-confidence. Sometimes, the last test of the journey occurs at this point. The final missing piece is resolving the initial conflict that led him on the journey. In comparison to his previous adventures, it is relatively easy to resolve. After that, the hero resumes his ordinary life, and everything returns to normal.

Examples

Hunger Games by Suzanne Colins
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R.Tolkien
Odyssey by Homer

Work cited:

https://www.storyboardthat.com/articles/e/heroic-journey#