When it comes to storytelling, few frameworks have captivated audiences as much as Christopher Vogel’s interpretation of the hero’s journey. At the heart of this iconic journey lies the “Ordinary World,” a vital stage where the hero’s story begins. It is the calm before the storm, the relatable foundation upon which extraordinary tales are built. Let’s dive deeper into this stage and explore why it plays such an essential role in storytelling.
What Is the Ordinary World in the Hero’s Journey?
The “Ordinary World” is the starting point of the hero’s journey. It represents the hero’s everyday life before the adventure begins. Think of it as the baseline of normalcy—a world that is familiar, predictable, and often mundane. This stage introduces the protagonist and gives us a glimpse into their life, including their struggles, desires, and flaws.
For instance, in “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien, Bilbo Baggins starts his journey in the peaceful Shire. His life is comfortable but uneventful. Similarly, in Disney’s The Lion King, Simba’s ordinary world is the Pride Lands, where he is a playful and carefree cub. These ordinary settings are crucial because they help us understand who the hero is before they embark on their adventure.
In essence, the Ordinary World sets the stage for the transformation to come. It provides context, grounding the story in a reality the audience can relate to. Without it, the hero’s later growth and struggles might feel disconnected or forced.
Why Is the Ordinary World Important in a Hero’s Story?
The Ordinary World is important because it helps the audience connect with the hero on a personal level. By showing the hero’s everyday life, writers allow us to see their humanity—whether it’s their dreams, flaws, or the challenges they face. This connection is critical because a story is only as compelling as its characters.
For example, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry’s ordinary world is the miserable life he leads with the Dursleys. We see his loneliness, his longing for a sense of belonging, and his desire to escape. This makes his eventual journey to Hogwarts all the more rewarding for the audience.
Additionally, the Ordinary World highlights the contrast between the hero’s starting point and their eventual transformation. The bigger the difference between their ordinary life and the extraordinary journey they undertake, the more satisfying their story arc becomes. It’s this contrast that creates emotional resonance and keeps audiences invested.
How Christopher Vogel Defines the Ordinary World
Christopher Vogel, a screenwriter and author of The Writer’s Journey, expanded on Joseph Campbell’s original framework of the hero’s journey. According to Vogel, the Ordinary World is not just a backdrop—it’s a vital narrative tool that establishes the stakes of the story.
Vogel emphasizes that the Ordinary World allows writers to show what the hero stands to lose or gain by embarking on their adventure. It also sets up the themes and conflicts that will drive the story forward. For example, in Pixar’s Finding Nemo, the Ordinary World introduces Marlin as an overprotective father who has lost much of his family. This makes his journey to rescue Nemo both personal and meaningful.
Key Features of the Ordinary World
- Introduction of the Hero: The audience meets the protagonist and learns about their personality, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Everyday Challenges: The hero’s normal life includes struggles or desires that hint at what they’ll face later in the story.
- The Comfort Zone: This stage highlights the hero’s reluctance to leave their familiar world, emphasizing the risk and courage required to embark on the journey.
- Supporting Characters: Friends, family, or mentors who play a role in the hero’s life are often introduced here.
- The Calm Before the Storm: The Ordinary World is usually peaceful, but it hints at the disruption that will soon occur.
Common Examples from Movies and Books
- In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen’s ordinary world is District 12, a poor and oppressive society where she struggles to provide for her family.
- In Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke Skywalker’s ordinary world is the quiet life of a farm boy on Tatooine.
- In Cinderella, the ordinary world is her life of servitude under her cruel stepmother.
Why This Stage Feels Familiar to Everyone
The Ordinary World resonates with audiences because we’ve all experienced it. We all have a “starting point” in our own lives—a routine, a comfort zone, or a place where we feel safe but unchallenged. This relatability makes the hero’s journey universal. By showing the hero in an ordinary setting, storytellers remind us that even the most extraordinary individuals start out just like us.
Ordinary World vs. Call to Adventure
The Ordinary World and the Call to Adventure are two distinct but interconnected stages of the hero’s journey. While the Ordinary World establishes the hero’s current reality, the Call to Adventure disrupts it.
The Call to Adventure is the moment when the hero is faced with a choice: to stay in their comfort zone or venture into the unknown. This contrast between the familiar and the unfamiliar is what drives the story forward. For example, in The Matrix, Neo’s ordinary world is his life as a computer hacker, but his call to adventure comes when Morpheus offers him the choice between the red pill and the blue pill.
Without the Ordinary World, the Call to Adventure wouldn’t have the same impact. The stakes would feel less significant, and the hero’s decision to embark on their journey wouldn’t carry as much weight.
Famous Examples of the Ordinary World Stage
- Frodo in The Shire (The Lord of the Rings): Frodo’s peaceful life in the Shire is a sharp contrast to the dangers he faces later on.
- Dorothy in Kansas (The Wizard of Oz): Dorothy’s black-and-white life in Kansas emphasizes the vibrant, colorful world of Oz she later encounters.
- Moana on Her Island (Moana): Moana’s ordinary world shows her longing for adventure but also her responsibilities to her family and village.
How These Examples Make Stories Relatable
These examples are effective because they ground extraordinary stories in relatable experiences. Frodo’s reluctance to leave the Shire mirrors our own hesitation to leave our comfort zones. Dorothy’s longing for something beyond Kansas reflects universal dreams of adventure and self-discovery. These moments remind us that heroes are not born—they are made, often starting out just like us.
Tips to Spot the Ordinary World in Any Story
- Look for the hero’s introduction. Where are they? What is their life like before the adventure begins?
- Identify the challenges or conflicts they face in their everyday life.
- Pay attention to their relationships with family, friends, or mentors.
- Notice the moment when their normal life is disrupted—it often signals the transition to the next stage.
Thoughts on the Hero’s Journey’s Ordinary World
The Ordinary World is a reminder that every great journey starts with a small step. It shows us that heroes aren’t born extraordinary—they begin their stories in the same way we do, in ordinary, relatable circumstances.
Famous Examples of the Ordinary World Stage
This stage can be found in countless stories, from classic literature to modern blockbusters. In each case, it serves as the foundation for the hero’s journey, grounding the story in a reality we can all relate to.
Why This Stage Feels Familiar to Everyone
The Ordinary World feels familiar because it mirrors our own lives. Before we face challenges or embark on new adventures, we all exist in our own version of the Ordinary World—a place of routine, comfort, and safety. This universality is what makes the hero’s journey resonate across cultures and generations.
The Bottom Line
The Ordinary World is more than just the starting point of the hero’s journey—it’s the foundation that makes the rest of the story meaningful. By grounding the hero in a relatable reality, it creates an emotional connection with the audience and sets the stage for their transformation. Whether it’s Frodo in the Shire, Harry Potter at Privet Drive, or Simba in the Pride Lands, the Ordinary World reminds us that even the greatest heroes begin their journeys as ordinary people.
So, the next time you watch a movie or read a book, pay close attention to the hero’s Ordinary World. It’s not just where their story begins—it’s where their humanity shines the brightest.
