The Matrix & The Mono-Myth

Ericka Freyre
Draft 1: The Matrix & The Mono-myth
May.16, 2011

(Note: VERY Rough Draft!!!)

According to Joseph Campbell every hero is destined to be sent on their quest. In the Matrix, Neo goes on a step by step journey that a "hero" in Joseph Campbell’s theory must undergo.

In Joseph Campbell’s theory it is a twelve stage hero’s journey. This is commonly found in numerous Hollywood movies such as Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz. One in particular is The Matrix. In this there is a basic three act structure. It starts off in the ordinary world then to the special world and back to the ordinary world. There are many stages into the journey. The first stage is being in the ordinary world, then call to adventure, refusal of the call, meeting the mentor, crossing the threshold, tests allies and enemies, approach to the inmost cave, ordeal, reward, the road back, resurrection, and lastly the return with the elixir.

In the Matrix Neo was sent on his quest that a hero must go on to bring change and have some kind of knowledge when they return. The first stage is the character known as the hero in an ordinary world. The hero is normally a character that does not fit in. Neo does not fit into his environment. He comes into the movie asleep and is woken up to his computer. This can be a display of boredom. At work he called into his boss’s office where he seems distracted as he stares out the window. Here we can also infer he doesn’t like his job

The second stage is the call to adventure. The call to adventure is the point in a person's life when they are told that there life is going to change. In the Matrix Neo received his calling when the computer told him “follow the white rabbit.” At first he did not see the importance of this. This led him to Trinity they met in the club that the white rabbit brought him to. She walks over to him and brings him in when she says “He told me that no one should look for the answer unless they have to because once you see it, everything changes. Your life and the world you live in will never be the same. It's as if you wake up one morning and the sky is falling.” At this exact moment is when Neo appeared to be captured by Trinity’s words. According to Campbell’s mono myth this is when his ordinary world is disrupted and he is presented with the challenge that must be undertaken. What is the Matrix?

The third and fourth stage somewhat rely on one another. Just as all of the stages do but these two stands out to me the most. This is exactly when the adventure to finding one’s self begins. This is when the hero receives his calling. Now after Neo receives his message from Trinity. He finally talks to Morpheus. He helps him escape from the Agents that are out to get him because he is “the one”. Morpheus guides him to safety but out of fear which is the fourth stage (refusal of the call) he is captured by the agents. In the mono-myth this is brought on by the refusal of the call that in a result of refusal is suffering. The fourth stage is when he meets his mentor. When he finally meets Morpheus they become acquainted in a room with two chairs. Neo finally gets to decide his destiny because he does not believe in fate. He is finally given a choice. According to the mono-myth in the time of finally meeting the mentor the hero is given something of great importance .Morpheus asks for Neo to choose between the blue pill or red pill. He obviously chooses the red pill. Thus ultimately awakening Neo into reality or what truly is the Matrix.

In crossing the threshold Neo finally enters The Matrix through being on the Nebuchadnezzar while he is “asleep.” This is the beginning of Neo’s journey with his eyes open.
In a hero’s journey this is after he receives his calling and may do it whether it is willingly or he is forced to. He must make a cross between the world he is familiar with and one he is not. Thus bringing forth the change in the three act structure and finally being introduced into being in the special world. Neo is finally in the seat where he appears to be reborn onto the ship where he faces doubt with if he wants to stay on the ship with the crew.