Moana - Myth and Storytelling

 After last weeks lecture we were tasked with finding the hero's Journey story structure in an existing animation.

The Ordinary World

In the introduction to the film Moana's grandma sets the scene with a story introducing some key characters. Moana is introduced to the audience through a song which literally describes here world and way of life. The ordinary world (the known world) is Moana's island. 

The Call to Adventure

There is a hint at this step when Moana is given the heart of Te Fiti by the ocean, but the main call to arms is when the fish start dying and it becomes apparent that the island is dying. 

Refuse the Call

There is a brief period in the introduction when Moana gives up on the idea of leaving and decides to focus on her duties, and again when she crashes her canoe and decides that the journey is too difficult. 

Supernatural Aid (Mentor)

Moana's grandmother acts as her mentor in the into to the film but her main mentor/ supernatural aid is when she meets Maui a demigod with shapeshifting abilities. 

Crossing the Threshold 

Moana literally crosses the threshold when she jumps off of the ledge into the underworld. Before this her surroundings are fairly normal, when she jumps she becomes surrounded by all manner of spirits and supernatural creatures. Crossing the threshold could also be argued as the scene in which Moana decides to leave the island.  

Belly of the Whale 

When Moana enters the cave of Tomatoa. This is when she and Maui are almost outmatched. 

The Road of Trials

This is when Moana begins to learn how to sail. As well as this she comes across various creatures which she must defeat and throughout the film she takes over Maui and takes control. 

Meeting the Goddess

This moment is at the end of the film when Moana meets Te Fiti. It could also be argued that Moana's meeting with her grandmother's spirit resembles the stage also. 

Women as Temptress

When Te Fiti is in her volcano form and destroys Maui's fish hook, she gives Moana a reason to give up and go home. The great thing about this film is that there is no love interest to drive the story so in some ways Moana is her own worst enemy. 

Atonement with the Father

Maui is somewhat of a father figure to Moana. When he tells her the story of his creation they strengthen their bond immensely. This stage also occurs when Moana sees her grandmother's spirit as she gets some closure.  

Ultimate Boon

This is when Moana returns a second time to Te Fiti to try and defeat her. She and Maui settle their argument and work together to save Te Fiti. 

Refusal to Return

Moana has a few moments when she almost gives up but the most poinient is when she is almost beaten and throws the heart of Te Fiti back onto the ocean. 

Magic Flight

This is when Maui returns as an actual bird to help Moana after his fish hook is almost destroyed.

Rescue from Without

This same as the last stage, this is when Maui returns to help Moana. This stage could also be when Moana comes to a realisation that Te Fiti is the volcano and returns her heart. 

Crossing the Threshold 

This is when Te Fiti's heart is returned and she begins to grow back all of the lost plant life. 

Apotheosis

When Moana and Maui are properly introduced to Te Fiti and she holds them in her hand. She forgives Maui and thanks Moana for returning her heart. 

Master of Two Worlds 

This is the moment when Moana realises that she is the one that will save her island and is able to use everything she has learnt on her journey to restore the heart. 

Freedom to Live

When Moana returns home and leads a group of canoe's to the ocean. She changes how her people feel about the ocean and instead of placing a stone in the pile of past rulers she paces a shell, symbolising the new begging.