(I) Many critics of the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens described it as predictable and too similar to the first Star Wars movie from 1977. (II) However, the similarity between these stories is not a coincidence. (III) In fact, both films follow an ancient structure known as the "hero myth." (IV) This structure is based on the ideas of Joseph Campbell, an American professor who studied myths worldwide. In his famous 1949 book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell described a pattern called the "monomyth" - a common path that many heroes take in stories across cultures. According to this pattern, a hero leaves his normal life, faces challenges, and eventually returns home, changed by the journey. Stories like Homer's Odyssey and the Harry Potter series also follow this format.
Director George Lucas used Campbell's theory to shape Luke Skywalker's story around the 17 stages of the hero's journey. At first, Luke lives an ordinary life with his aunt and uncle. When he discovers a message in the robot R2D2 from Princess Leia, he receives his "call to adventure."
Campbell explained that heroes often resist this call at first. Soon, a mentor appears to guide them - for Luke, it's Obi-Wan Kenobi. With new allies like Han Solo and the droids, Luke enters the "special world" - the Death Star - where the main adventure unfolds.
Along the way, the hero must face many obstacles. A major turning point happens when the hero experiences a deep loss. For Luke, this is the death of Obi-Wan at the hands of Darth Vader. This moment gives him the strength to carry on and eventually destroy the Death Star. Luke returns home transformed, having taken his first steps toward becoming a Jedi. Later films, like The Return of the Jedi, continue his journey, with new mentors such as Yoda.
This classic structure helps explain why Star Wars resonates with so many - it's a modern retelling of an ancient tale, not just science fiction.
(Adapted from Star Wars and the hero myth_BBC)