188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): New Self in No Mans Land

It is in No Mans Land that the Hero's New Self becomes apparent. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack tells Pop, the ignorant son of a bitch, to sit down. Ennis finds out that Alma knows he is gay.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Where to Start - the FADE IN

Writers often don't know where to start. It's easy. It's called a Fade In and it's another word for context. Start with the context. In Straw Dogs (1971), we open with shots of a tiny village in England. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), the first scene sets the context - Ennis is a cowboy in cowboy country.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): the Call to Adventure

The Call to Adventure can be very subtle. In Straw Dogs (1971), Charlie helps put the groceries in the trunk. Then Amy suggest that maybe Charlie could help with the garage. Charlie will be happy to do it tomorrow.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero's Legend

The antihero's legend will have travelled before him and symbols of his nature will be visible – scars or actions of his past. These will reveal the antihero as a dangerous being and explanations will be elicited.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Engagement

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. Following resistance to the engagement, the engagement is forced. In Straw Dogs (1971), Tom tries to break in.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Final Conflict: Battle

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. When the battle begins, the Shape Shifter, engaged in a period of dissonance, doesn't believe hero is capable of defeating his (or her) antagonisms. In Straw Dogs (1971), Tom et al continue to attack the house and try to break in. Amy doesn't believe David can keep them out.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Pulled Into The Final Battle

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. Following a final pull (Norman tries to rape David), the hero is pulled into the final battle and the shape shifter is forced to overcome his (or her) period of dissonace. In Straw Dogs (1971) , Charlie shoots Norman.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Deception, Loneliness and Alienation

Where the hero achieves synergy, loyalty and the conquest of challenges, the opposite is true for the antihero. His fate is deception, loneliness and alienation, In Scarface (1983), Manny begins to deceive Tony (he's seeing Gina); Tony alienates Elvira; both Manny and Elvira leave Tony alone.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Bull in a China Shop

The hero is a bull in a china shop during the preliminary stages of the Road of Trials. Wherever he is, his old self has not dissolved away and he is unaccustomed to the ways of this new world, which require the realisation of his much newer self.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Belly of the Whale (aspects of)

In the Belly of the Whale, the hero must do what he needs to do, learns what he needs to do, practices what he needs to do or similar. He engages in that act will serve him or send him to the Road of Trials, where his Old Self will dissolve away. He is preparing for the dissolution of the Ordinary Self. Then he makes the physical crossing where all routes back are cut off - there is no going back.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Significance of the Sword

Once attained, the hero experiences a number of things. First, the Joy of Infancy Regained. Second, an enlightenment (expansion of consciousness) often demonstrated by new knowledge etc. Third the bride (conquest of the romantic challenge). Fourth, a new capability (demonstrating the New Self).

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Rebirth and Baptism

Once he (or she) has seized the sword, the hero is reborn. But the rebirth occurs in a special place, which the hero travels to (night sesa journey), is baptised (water is involved), symbolically dies (near death) and then reawakens.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Boon

The ultimate boon is simply the prize that comes with the conquest of the inner challenge. It is the tangible symbol of the conquest of the inner challenge.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Hero's Journey- Femme Fatale Deceit

The detective hero is pulled into a meeting with the femme fatale. It is made explicit that the femme fatale has been spinning a deceit and that the hero was aware of it. The femme fatale uses love and emotion as a manipulation tool. The detective hero is aware of this tool and is also an expert; he may play along, if only to slowly expose the femme fatale. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam visits O'Shaugnessey.