Subverting “The Hero’s Journey” in Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass
Major
English – Literature
Submission Type
Oral Presentation
Area of Study or Work
English-Literature, Humanities
Expected Graduation Date
2023
Location
CNS E101 2.4 Heroes and New Genres: Written and Visual Storytelling
Start Date
4-15-2023 10:30 AM
End Date
4-15-2023 11:30 AM
Abstract
Joseph Campbell’s work in theorizing the monomyth– better known as “The Hero’s Journey”– is widely regarded as one of the most influential narrative structures utilized by storytellers in modern society. Popularized by filmmakers at Disney and in George Lucas' Star Wars franchise, the monomyth– with its three acts that guide the hero from “Departure,” to “Initiation,” and finally to their “Return”– undoubtedly resonates with audiences across the world. However, the main characters of the stories that utilize Campbell’s framework are almost always men. The “Hero’s Journey” often leaves women out of the picture, and molds them into harmful stereotypes. Although society’s impressions of gender and sexuality are changing, the woman’s role within the monomyth has remained largely the same as when it was first formulated by Campbell in 1949. One genre in particular that places such restraints on its female characters is fantasy. Historically, the majority of fantasy literature has been authored by men, a fact that most characters within these stories reflect. However, in the past twenty years or so, there has been a seismic shift in the landscape of this genre– and that change has been driven by women. More specifically, young adult fantasy literature has rapidly risen in popularity among readers of all ages, and the majority of it is written by women. One author in particular who has risen to prominence since the 2012 publication of her first novel, Throne of Glass, is Sarah J. Maas. At the forefront of her body of work are female protagonists who undergo tumultuous journeys of their own. The widespread popularity of her work speaks to the change readers demand from not only the world of fantasy fiction but also from our cultural understanding of what it means to be a hero and a woman.
Subverting “The Hero’s Journey” in Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass
CNS E101 2.4 Heroes and New Genres: Written and Visual Storytelling
Joseph Campbell’s work in theorizing the monomyth– better known as “The Hero’s Journey”– is widely regarded as one of the most influential narrative structures utilized by storytellers in modern society. Popularized by filmmakers at Disney and in George Lucas' Star Wars franchise, the monomyth– with its three acts that guide the hero from “Departure,” to “Initiation,” and finally to their “Return”– undoubtedly resonates with audiences across the world. However, the main characters of the stories that utilize Campbell’s framework are almost always men. The “Hero’s Journey” often leaves women out of the picture, and molds them into harmful stereotypes. Although society’s impressions of gender and sexuality are changing, the woman’s role within the monomyth has remained largely the same as when it was first formulated by Campbell in 1949. One genre in particular that places such restraints on its female characters is fantasy. Historically, the majority of fantasy literature has been authored by men, a fact that most characters within these stories reflect. However, in the past twenty years or so, there has been a seismic shift in the landscape of this genre– and that change has been driven by women. More specifically, young adult fantasy literature has rapidly risen in popularity among readers of all ages, and the majority of it is written by women. One author in particular who has risen to prominence since the 2012 publication of her first novel, Throne of Glass, is Sarah J. Maas. At the forefront of her body of work are female protagonists who undergo tumultuous journeys of their own. The widespread popularity of her work speaks to the change readers demand from not only the world of fantasy fiction but also from our cultural understanding of what it means to be a hero and a woman.