What Is A Hero? The Hero With A Thousand Faces Explained - John Bucher

Summary

In this insightful conversation, John Bucher explores the concept of the 'hero with a thousand faces,' emphasizing the timeless nature of the hero's journey across cultures and human history. He delves into the symbolic masks we wear, reflecting our internal struggles and aspirations. Bucher discusses how heroes are defined by their sacrifices for something larger than themselves and contrasts protagonists, anti-heroes, and their complex roles in storytelling. Ultimately, he highlights how every story offers a mirror for the audience, revealing the multifaceted nature of human experience and our ever-evolving perspectives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Hero with a Thousand Faces' concept represents the universal presence of heroic figures across cultures, times, and stories, embodying many different 'masks' or forms.
• 😀 These 'masks' in storytelling symbolize the different roles people play in life, such as protective or aspirational identities.
• 😀 Storytelling often features characters that represent different aspects of the self, as seen in fables like 'The Tortoise and the Hare,' where both qualities reside within a person.
• 😀 A hero is defined not by what they achieve, but by what they are willing to sacrifice for a cause greater than themselves.
• 😀 Heroes are not necessarily perfect or self-centered, but they show heroic qualities through actions and sacrifices that reflect their character.
• 😀 There are four main types of story endings: the hero gets both what they want and need, just one, or neither, reflecting different narrative outcomes.
• 😀 The concept of the anti-hero has become significant in modern storytelling, where characters like Tony Soprano or Walter White are seen as protagonists despite embodying 'bad guy' qualities.
• 😀 Every protagonist is a hero in their own story, but the definition of a hero can vary depending on the perspective from which the story is told.
• 😀 Storytelling is deeply tied to the human experience, reflecting the complexities of our own nature, where every person can be both a hero and a villain, depending on the context.
• 😀 The core of storytelling is to offer a perspective on the world, allowing the audience to either agree or disagree with how the storyteller views it—acting as a mirror for the audience.

Q & A

What does 'Hero with a Thousand Faces' mean?

It refers to the idea that throughout history, different cultures have expressed the same core heroic story. The hero archetype appears in many forms or 'masks,' reflecting a universal human experience of growth and sacrifice.

How does the concept of masks relate to human identity?

Masks symbolize the different roles or personas people take on throughout their lives. These can range from protective masks to aspirational ones, representing various aspects of a person's identity or behavior in different contexts.

How are characters in fables meant to be understood?

In fables, characters represent different traits within a person. For example, in 'The Tortoise and the Hare,' the turtle and rabbit are symbolic of different aspects of ourselves, like patience and impulsiveness, and understanding these can help us find balance in life.

What does Carl Jung's theory about characters in dreams suggest about storytelling?

Jung believed that the characters in our dreams represent aspects of ourselves. This idea extends to storytelling, where each character in a story can be seen as an expression of the storyteller or audience, offering an opportunity for self-reflection.

What is the true nature of heroism according to Joseph Campbell and the script?

Heroism is defined by the willingness to sacrifice for something greater than oneself. It's not about gaining external rewards but about the internal character and the sacrifices made for a larger cause or principle.

How do different story endings reflect the nature of the hero?

The four common types of endings—getting what you want and need, only one of those, or neither—show how a hero's journey can result in different outcomes based on what they sacrifice and how they grow.

Why is the idea of sacrifice central to heroism?

Sacrifice is crucial because it reflects the hero's willingness to put others' needs or a larger cause before their own desires, demonstrating moral integrity and selflessness.

Is every protagonist a hero?

Not necessarily. While every protagonist might see themselves as a hero, whether they embody traditional hero traits depends on perspective. Some protagonists, especially anti-heroes, challenge typical hero conventions.

What role does perspective play in determining who is the hero in a story?

The hero of a story is often defined by whose perspective we are viewing the narrative from. A character could be seen as a hero by some but as a villain by others, depending on their values and motivations.

How does the concept of 'shades of gray' influence storytelling and our understanding of characters?

The idea of 'shades of gray' suggests that characters, and people, are not purely good or evil. Everyone has a mix of heroic and villainous traits, and these complexities make for more nuanced and relatable storytelling.