For all of the sports fans in the class I was trying to think of a good sports movie that we can relate to and make this confusing archetype easier to understand.
The hero (Denzel Washington) definitely comes from a mysterious background because he was one of the only colored coaches in the league and was trying to do the impossible (intergrate races). He was very different.
His weakness is his family. He would give up anything and everything to assure that his family is safe.
His path has many distractions in which he must overcome, but the goal is to have everyone on the team like each other and have a "family" bond with each other. And possibly win the championship.
The journey is filled with danger, because at that time, in the south, it was dangerous to be a colored man in a dominantly white neighborhood. He and his family were in danger, especially during the drive-by shooting at his home.
His companion is his assistant coach, he helps him get what he needs to make the journey possible. For example, their daughters become good friends.
The decent into darkness is when their star senior player gets into a car crash and is paralyzed. He comes out of the darkness with a passion to win for the injured player and he remains scared for life from the horrible accident.
After the team wins the championship game intergration in the south is not as uncommon as it was before. The team served as an example for the rest of the population of how blacks and whites can be friends.
If anyone has anything to add or argue with this let me know. I am pretty sure it is a good example of a mythic hero archetype.
John Leskow
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4 comments:
I think that Remember the Titans definitely does fit the model, it is an interesting example because I would neer hae thought of that one.
That last one was Dan Beam.
I wouldn't have thought of that either. I think that the members of the team also qualify as companions. One question though, is there a guide?
-Kevin S.
Yes, in my opinion the guide is the assistant coach who helps denzel washington get settled as coach and in his new home.
john Leskow
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