Review of The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Ah, "the Hero with a Thousand Faces." One of the seminal pieces of non-fiction produced in the 20th century. Perhaps the non-fiction work to most influence the fiction that followed, it is the subject of college study, PBS specials and helped shape the Star War Saga – which in turn helped shape the science fiction and fantastic genre in general.

Its influence is sufficiently pervasive to warrant its review here.

"The hero has become, by virtue of the ceremonial, more than man."

For those who do not know, "Hero with a Thousand Faces" is the work by the late Joseph Campbell, in which he carefully analyzes the pattern of stories, myths, legends and folklore. First published in 1949, perhaps the most surprising is that there is a pattern at all. Under carefully study, patterns do emerge illustrating that Oriental myths do operate by the same rules and in the same structure as Occidental legends.

Campbell was heavily influenced by the works of both Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. At times Campbell even details dreams people have related and compares them to the structure of stories. His point is that stories are common to mans existence and similar in all cultures because they are so deeply a part of human nature. Storytelling is a much a part of the makeup of humanity as is dreaming.

The story archetype the Campbell described is, in short: the Hero departs the home they have always known for places largely unknown, the Hero then enters the belly of the beast or the underworld, the hero does battle with the dragon or overcomes some great obstacle and finally, having gained a great boon or rewards, the hero return to their people. While this simplification does not do it justice, it will suffice for the purposes of this review. There are exceptions and variations, however this is, Campbell asserts, the basic pattern to all stories.

"The sufferer within us is that divine being."

The statement that this is the pattern to all stories should be amended to read that it is the pattern to all stories that succeed and are memorable. Hence, so much science fiction, fantasy and fiction literature is so forgettable.

At times, Campbell's work is difficult to read. It suffers, in a contemporary sense, from the fact it is not only an academic work, but also one written over a half century ago. At times, it is a matter of discipline to read and some sentences have to be read twice to be understood. This may be as much a part of the reader and the relaxed late 20th century that produces them – i.e. people today probably do not have the discipline when it comes to reading and literature that they possessed when the book was written.

Some of the middle of the book, dealing with creation, legends is particularly esoteric and hard to follow, even compared to other parts of the book.

Those who expect Campbell to tell or relate many stories will be disappointed. This is not a compellation. It is an analysis. Whether or not this is a flaw is a matter of debate.

"When the hero-quest has been accomplished...the adventurer still must return with his life-transmuting trophy."

A careful reading of "Hero with a Thousand Faces" would help any Storyteller/Game Master/Dungeon Master and any player as well. In many ways, games sessions are nothing more than a myth or story being created by group effort moment to moment.

"Hero" has had it own direct influence on the literature of gaming as well. It can clearly be seen in all White Wolf games, perhaps Mage more so than others. Likewise, it helped shape the Star Wars Saga, which in turn inspired its own role-playing game.

In other games the influence is less keenly felt but still useful. While the Wizards of the Coast games do not have so pronounced a feel of "Hero" -- indeed, some of their principle NPC come across more as tyrant-holdfasts than as those who help the hero, Khelben Blackstaff being a prime example -- it is still quite useful.

At the very least, going out killing a dragon, getting it treasure and bringing the treasure home, while hack and slash, is still endorsed by "Hero." More over, to those who want more role playing, "Hero" is both an invaluable guide and indispensable defense.

"And so every one us share the supreme ordeal – carries the cross of the redeemer – not in the bright moments of his tribes great victories, but in the silent of his personal despair."

Besides influencing all aspects of the science fiction and fantasy genre, "Hero with a Thousand Faces" is possibly the best defense of role-playing games available. Ironically, it was written about a quarter century before they appeared.