We are excited to announce the publication of a special issue of Media Practice and Education, Volume 25, Issue 2 (2024), titled “Unravelling the Hero’s Journey: New Narrative Paradigms for Story, Semantics & the Psychology of Experience,” guest edited by Roy Hanney and Alison Norrington. This edition embarks on a critical exploration of Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey,” challenging its long-standing dominance as a universal narrative framework and examining its implications for contemporary storytelling in our evolving media landscape.
Drawing on C.P. Nield’s critique of Campbell’s monomyth as a “Hollywood McMyth,” this collection of articles seeks to unravel the monomyth by advocating for narrative plurality that reflects a more inclusive and diverse spectrum of stories. Contributors to this edition engage with alternative narrative paradigms emphasizing community, companionship, and commonality, moving beyond the individualistic focus of Campbell’s framework. This shift is highlighted by the rise of interactive and immersive storytelling technologies, such as VR, AR, and XR, which necessitate a re-evaluation of narrative structures to accommodate the dynamic and fluid nature of contemporary storytelling.
Through a decolonial lens, the articles collectively argue for a decentring of narrative meaning, proposing new approaches that embrace the complexities of global challenges and the multiplicity of human experiences. The special issue sets the stage for a critical examination of The Hero’s Journey, inviting readers to consider the ethical implications of narratives in shaping socio-cultural values and norms in an era of immersive and participatory media.
The issue includes a diverse range of articles: Roy Hanney provides a critical examination of Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey.” Jane Aston advocates for multiperspectival approaches to teaching narrative and story in university film and media departments. Annette Gröppel-Wegener explores the notion of the ‘hero’ in theme parks. Catherine Gough-Brady examines the intersection of heroic characters, neo-liberal productive citizens, and feminist filmmaking. Sarah Lynne Bowman discusses finding the self in role-playing games, weaving myth, narrative, and identity. Sam Taylor offers insights on queering heroes’ journeys and heteronormative timelines. Finally, Diego J. Remedios, Dominic J. Mathew, and Martin Schleser navigate parallel interactive narratives in virtual reality.
This special issue promises to enrich the discourse around narrative theory and practice, offering fresh perspectives and challenging established paradigms. We invite you to delve into these insightful articles and join the conversation on the future of storytelling.
READ MORE HERE!
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash