The Hero's Journey

Avatar is a classic example of a film which follows Campbell’s monomyth stages.

Departure

The Call to Adventure- Jake Sully an ex marine was summoned to replace his dead twin brother on a mission to Pandora. The Avatars have a driver matched nervous systems so Jake is the only one who can connect with his twin brother’s Avatar.

Refusal of the Call-Jake ignored abuse from others that he is incapable of surviving in Pandora down to his spinal injury and the fact that he has no scientific training and decides to go ahead with the mission for a new start in a new world.

Supernatural Aid- Dr Grace Augustine the head of the Avatar system becomes his guide.

Crossing the First Threshold- Jake enters and awakes in Avatars body.

Belly of the Whale- Jakes awakens in body of Avatar and instantly discovers the use of his legs by wiggling his toes, in the excitement of this Jake escapes laboratory and tries to outrun scientists.

Initiation

Road of Trials- In order to receive a unique insight into the world of the Na’vi so he can report back to Grace and negotiate terms of relocation with Na’vi, Jake must become a member of their clan. In order to do this he must learn how to speak and walk as they do.

The Meeting with the Goddess-Jake is rescued from a pack of wild dogs by Neytiri whose initial plan was to shoot him with her bow but received a sign from the pure spirits by a fallen seed from the Sacred Tree which lands on the end of her arrow, informing Neytiri that Jake is a Dreamwalker.  Neytiri is forced by her father the head of the tribe to teach Jake their ways in which she helps him read the trails, sights and sounds of their world and tells him to trust his body and see the world through her eyes.

Temptation away from the True Path- Colonel Quaritch offers Jake the use of his legs back by undergoing surgery on his rotation home; however Jake refuses this in order to finish what he started in finding a diplomatic solution for the Na’vi.

Atonement with the Father- Neytiri informs Jake that he is ready and takes him to her Father the Chief of the tribe. Jake is accepted as a true member of the tribe.

Apotheosis- Jake comes to the realisation that everything is backwards and that out there in Pandora is the true world and that his human state is the dream. In just three months he barely remembers his old life and believes he had been born twice now that he has learnt his place amongst the people.

The Ultimate Boon- Jake captures the Toruk and becomes a Rider of the Last Shadow.

Return

Refusal of the Return- Jake decides that he wants to help the Ne’vi tribe and prays to the Tree of Voices asking for help. He believes that the pure spirits chose him for something and that they should help him stay and fight. He believes that the sky people cannot have what they want and that Pandora is their land.

The Magic Flight- Jake uses his Toruk and rides with members of the clan, fighting against the Sky People try and destroy the Ne’vi’s homeland.

Rescue from without- Eywa the Great Spirit heard Jakes prayers and sent the animals of Pandora to help with the fight.

The Return Threshold- Colonel Quaritch smashes glass of the shack exposing Jake’s human body to Pandora’s atmosphere. Jake’s human body cannot breathe, leaving his Avatar lifeless. Neytiri manages to revive his human body realising this is why she cannot wake his Avatar.

Master of Two Worlds-Neytiri accepts Jake in his human form and she takes him to tribe and the Sacred Tree transports Jakes spirit into the body of his Avatar so he can live as a member of the Na’vi forever.

Freedom to Live- The Time of Great Sorrow has ended and Sky People return from where they came; only a few of the humans are allowed to stay and live with Ne’vi tribe, Jake and friends included.

Bibliography

Avatar (2009)