The Archetypal Heroic Journey/Quest

English 9 Honors Summer Reading Assignment - 2013
This is the assignment for all English 9 Honors students whether enrolled in the blocked
World Civilization course (English and Social Studies) or English 9 Honors as a single class.
Assignment: Read the novel Watership Down by Richard Adams. (ISBN 978-1442444058).
Complete the following chart, tracking the rabbits’ journey along the way. Read through this
chart before beginning to read the novel so you know what you’re looking for as you read.
Please write in complete sentences and use evidence (quotes/page numbers) from the text.
Because space is limited, we strongly suggest that you draft on other paper and then
carefully edit/revise to generate what will go in each box. This is due on your first day of
English (either September 3 or 4, 2013).
The Archetypal Heroic Journey/Quest
I. Departure Watership Down
Call to Adventure:
Hero sets forth: lured,
kidnapped or drawn by
his own desire. How
does the character
receive the call to
adventure?
Aid: Who or what helps
the hero on his
journey? Guide,
Mentor, Companions,
Divine Aid?
Crossing the
Threshold: At what
point in the story does
the hero leave the
familiar world and
move into a new,
unfamiliar
circumstance?
II. Initiation
Road of Trials: What
specific challenges does
the hero face?
Test: Does the hero
battle some kind of
monster? Does the hero
have to face some inner
demon?

Ultimate Boon/ Magic
Elixir: Does the hero
find some special
solution to the problem
he is attempting to
resolve?
Supreme Ordeal:
What is the moment of
most danger?
Expansion of
Consciousness:
illumination,
transformation,
freedom. How is the
hero changed and
ready for return to the
world?
III. The Return
Hero returns from
Kingdom of
Adventure: Is there
some point (generally
toward the end) where
the hero “escapes” or is
pursued out of the
“darkness?”
Master of Two Worlds:
Does it appear that the
hero has conquered life
in both the familiar and
unfamiliar worlds?
Freedom to Live or
Return “home”: Since
the hero typically
begins the journey to
resolve a problem, does
it appear the problem is
at last resolved so that
all can life freely?