The Hero With a Thousand Faces

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Shawn According to Campbell, the function of mythology is often to circumvent the immediate need for deep knowledge or, at least, to initiate the seeker int…moreAccording to Campbell, the function of mythology is often to circumvent the immediate need for deep knowledge or, at least, to initiate the seeker into the thirst for a pursuit of deeper knowledge. Campbell probably relates many more myths in this book than is necessary to get his points across and that can possibly become tiresome to some readers before the book is concluded. I, by no means, would rate this as an easy read. You'll likely know within the first fifty pages if this is something you wish to absorb fully now or perhaps reserve for a later time. (less)
Kelly Kerns A thousand is an arbitrary large number. I believe that Campbell himself would argue the point of mythology is not to be exact but to "represent" and …moreA thousand is an arbitrary large number. I believe that Campbell himself would argue the point of mythology is not to be exact but to "represent" and idea, concept, metaphor or allegory.

Campbell's premise of the MonoMyth is that all mythology follows a similar structure or story arc. A call to adventure is a fundamental piece of each story. The "heroic" epic follows.

By presenting the metaphor of a "Hero" with a "1000" faces, Campbell is asserting that the same protagonist can be put into any story anywhere in the world in any culture or religion. We all live the same story and are more alike than our diverse world views would suggest.(less)

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