In The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell detailed a theory that there is only one heroic
story, the "Monomyth" or "Hero's Journey", which has been retold in a thousand ways.
According to this theory, every tale of heroes from the Greek Myths to "Star Wars" follows the
same basic structure. Let's see how Ringworld fits (or doesn't fit) into the Hero's Journey.
Here we use Wikipedia's template for the Hero's Journey, as their policies say it's permissible to copy
at length from their articles. You can read more about the Hero's Journey in Wikipedia's article on
The Hero with a Thousand
Faces.
STAGES OF THE HERO'S JOURNEY
Chapter I: Departure
1. The Call to Adventure
The adventure begins with the hero receiving a call to action, such as a threat to the peace of the
community, or the hero simply falls into or blunders into it. The call is often announced to the hero by
another character who acts as a "herald". The herald, often represented as dark or terrifying and
judged evil by the world, may call the character to adventure simply by the crisis of his appearance.
Louis meets Nessus, who entices him to go on a mysterious journey.
2. Refusal of the Call
In some stories, the hero initially refuses the call to adventure. When this happens, the hero may suffer
somehow, and may eventually choose to answer, or may continue to decline the call.
Teela initially refuses to go along on the journey. Here we have to stipulate Louis himself does not
constitute the entire character of the Hero; rather Louis and Teela together make up the Hero character.
This is similar to the situation in "Star Wars", where the Hero character is split between Luke Skywalker
and Han Solo. Note that Louis does not grow as a person during the tale, but Teela does. That is, Louis has
not changed at the end of the tale, but Teela has matured. Since part of the Hero's Journey is the Hero
being changed and matured by the experience, clearly Louis alone does not fulfill the role of Hero in
Ringworld.
3. Supernatural Aid
After the hero has accepted the call, he encounters a protective figure (often elderly) who provides
special tools and advice for the adventure ahead, such as an amulet or a weapon.
Early in the story, Nessus provides the Long Shot, which travels at "magical" speed to
whisk the adventurers away to the Fleet of Worlds, which is the first (and lesser) "World of
Wonder" they will visit on their journey. Then he provides the Lying Bastard with its
"magical" protection of a stasis field. Later, after crashing on the Ringworld, Nessus displays
and talks about the various equipment they'll be taking with them on their exploration, including the
flycycles and flashlight-lasers. Here we stipulate Nessus takes the part of the "Wise and mystical
counselor", like Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Star Wars". Clearly Nessus doesn't fit that role
very well; he's not really a protective figure. By the end of the tale, his motives and
actions (or rather, the motives and manipulative actions of the Puppeteers) have been revealed as
anything but benign.
Chiron, the Puppeteer the adventurers meet on the Fleet of Worlds, can also be seen in the role of
"Wise Counselor" as he gives the adventurers valuable information regarding their goal.
"Chiron" was the name of the learned centaur who taught music, medicine and hunting to
Achilles, Jason and other heroes from Greek myth.
4. The Crossing of the First Threshold
The hero must cross the threshold between the world he is familiar with and that which he is not.
Often this involves facing a "threshold guardian", an entity that works to keep all within
the protective confines of the world but must be encountered in order to enter the new zone of
experience.
It is important to note that in an extended story (and Ringworld is certainly a long story), some
stages of the Hero's Journey may be repeated. Larry Niven noted "I wanted the reader braced,
forewarned against the Ringworld. I gave him the Puppeteers' Fleet of Worlds as an intermediate
step, to build his imagination" ("From Ringworld", N-Space p. 122). So that's
why there are two separate "Worlds of Wonder" in Ringworld, and one reason why several stages
are repeated.
The adventurers cross the "threshold" when they journey in the Long Shot to the
Puppeteer Fleet of Worlds. Here Speaker acts as the Threshold Guardian when he tries to hijack the
Long Shot with his variable-sword. As noted, there are two Worlds of Wonder in
Ringworld; the Puppeteer Fleet of Worlds and the Ringworld itself. The so-called "meteor
defense laser" is the Threshold Guardian for the Ringworld. Its function is not to block their
path to the World of Wonder; rather, it threatens to destroy them before they reach it. Yet it
simultaneously forces the Heroes to enter the World of Wonder, by causing the Liar to
crash on the Ringworld. This is quite similar to the tornado in "The Wizard of Oz", which
is simultaneously a deadly threat and the vehicle which propels Dorothy to that story's
World of Wonder.
The Belly of the Whale
The hero, rather than passing a threshold, passes into the new zone by means of rebirth. Appearing
to have died by being swallowed or having their flesh scattered, the hero is transformed and becomes
ready for the adventure ahead.
Here we should note that the order in which the stages of the Hero's Journey occur vary from
story to story. Clearly the "Belly of the Whale" sequence in King Solomon's Mines, where the
adventurers are literally "swallowed up" by being trapped in the cave, occurs at the end of
the story, after the main crisis has passed.
In Ringworld, the "police trap" scene fits this stage. The flycycles are "swallowed
up" by the police trap, and Louis is "swallowed up" by being surrounded by crash balloons.
Chapter II: Initiation
1. The Road of Trials
Once past the threshold, the hero encounters a dream landscape of ambiguous and fluid forms. The hero
is challenged to survive a succession of obstacles and, in so doing, amplifies his consciousness. The
hero is helped covertly by the supernatural helper or may discover a benign power supporting him in his
passage.
The extended exploration by flycycle of the Ringworld certainly fits this stage! "Dream
landscape" indeed. Sight-seeing on the Fleet of World, the lesser "World of Wonder",
also fits the idea of exploring a "dream landscape". That safe environment doesn't really
fit the concept of a "Road of Trials", although Teela does briefly get lost. The
"supernatural helper" often takes the form of an animal, so Speaker would seem to fit
that role, although there's nothing covert about his help in Ringworld's journey. The
technology and knowledge of Nessus makes him the "benign power" (although, as previously noted,
Nessus is not really all that benign).
2. The Meeting with the Goddess
The ultimate trial is often represented as a marriage between the hero and a queenlike, or
mother-like figure. This represents the hero's mastery of life (represented by the feminine) as well
as the totality of what can be known. When the hero is female, this becomes a male figure.
Teela meets Louis, who becomes a wise and protective father-figure for her; there is also a
"marriage" between the two when they become lovers.
3. Woman as the Temptress aka Temptation Away from the True Path
His awareness expanded, the hero may fixate on the disunity between truth and his subjective
outlook, inherently tainted by the flesh. This is often represented with revulsion or rejection
of a female figure.
Prill uses her sexual skills to hold Louis in thrall, until Nessus zaps Prill with the tasp.
4. Atonement with the Father
The hero reconciles the tyrant and merciful aspects of the father-like authority figure to
understand himself as well as this figure.
Louis is the father figure with respect to Teela. Teela is horrified when Nessus explains she's
the result of a Puppeteer breeding experiment. Louis laughs at the idea of breeding for luck,
and she angrily leaves the group. Later Louis approaches her and apologizes. Teela is reconciled
with him and rejoins the group.
5. Apotheosis (Becoming God-Like)
The hero's ego is disintegrated in a breakthrough expansion of consciousness. Quite frequently
the hero's idea of reality is changed; the hero may find an ability to do new things or to see a
larger point of view, allowing the hero to sacrifice himself.
The shocks Teela undergoes in the story mature her, and she comes to see herself in a totally different
light. Louis gains the ability to see a "larger point of view" when he perceives the secret of
Fist-of-God mountain. Louis' "idea of reality is changed" when Nessus reveals how the
Puppeteers have manipulated Human history for their own ends.
6. The Ultimate Boon
The hero is now ready to obtain that for which he has set out, an item or new awareness that,
once he returns, will benefit the society that he has left.
With Speaker's aid, Louis obtains the shadow square wire, which the adventurers take with them on
their return to the Liar. There it will be a "magical aid" to help them reach their goal
of leaving the Ringworld. But note Louis could not accomplish this until after he attained
the "new awareness" that Fist-of-God mountain was a portal to the outside. Also, it's
stated that after completing the mission, Louis will be given the prize of the Long Shot
to take home in triumph.
Chapter III: Return
1. Refusal of the Return
Having found bliss and enlightenment in the other world, the hero may not want to return to the
ordinary world to bestow the boon onto his fellow man.
Teela has found "bliss" with Seeker and refuses to return home, just as she initially refused the
Call to Adventure at the beginning of the tale.
2. The Magic Flight
When the boon's acquirement (or the hero's return to the world) comes against opposition, a
chase or pursuit may ensue before the hero returns.
In general, all the flycycle sequences can be thought of as Magic Flight. The "Seven League
Boots" of the Puppeteer stepping disc system is obviously Magic Flight! The chase
aspect of this stage is well represented when Teela gets drawn into the eye storm and the others
pursue her. The journey of the Improbable dragging the Liar along and up the
side of Fist-of-God mountain can also be thought of as "magic flight". But the concept of
danger pursuing the hero after he has seized the Ultimate Boon is not well represented in
Ringworld. There is a fight as they claim the shadow square wire, but the pursuit is cut
very short by Louis lifting the skycycles into the air.
3. Rescue from Without
The hero may need to be rescued by forces from the ordinary world. This may be because the hero
has refused to return or because he is successfully blocked from returning with the boon. The hero
loses his ego.
Louis is "rescued from without" by Nessus twice in fairly close succession in the story,
in the "police trap" sequence and following. First, Nessus gets Prill to lower the vehicles
in the "police trap", thus freeing Louis and Speaker from their immediate peril. Later,
Louis is enthralled by Prill— losing his ego— and has to be rescued by Nessus using the
tasp on her.
Nessus' rescues may not be a good fit for this stage of the Hero's Journey. If Nessus is the "wise
counselor" or "wizard" figure, he doesn't qualify. The best fit would be if Teela rescued
Louis, or vice versa. Likewise, Nessus' use of the tasp appears to be "magical aid", not mundane
rescue. On the other hand, the tasp is a device from Louis' world, so perhaps in that respect it can be
thought of as a "force from the ordinary world".
4. The Crossing of the Return Threshold
The hero returns to the world of common day and must accept it as real.
Although the actual return of Louis to Human Space happens off-stage after the end of the story, this
stage is well represented by the moment when the Liar tips over the edge of the rim at the top
of Fist-of-God mountain, beginning the journey home.
5. Master of the Two Worlds
Because of the boon or due to his experience, the hero may now perceive both the divine and human
worlds.
Louis, by virtue of the knowledge and insight he's gained in his explorations of the Ringworld, perceives
Fist-of-God mountain isn't just a mountain, but is a portal to the stars. This stage of the Hero's
Journey is often said to be represented by a ceremony of triumph, like the epilogue in "Star
Wars" where our heroes are bestowed with medallions, or in the Harry Potter stories where at the
end-of-year feast, Harry is recognized for his heroics. Perhaps the closest thing in Ringworld
is the moment of epiphany when the Improbable tips over the edge at the top of Fist-of-God
mountain, and we see— "My god! It's full of stars!" (with apologies to Arthur C. Clarke).
6. Freedom to Live
The hero bestows the boon to his fellow man.
Louis bestows the "boon" of his conceptual breakthrough about Fist-of-God Mountain to his fellow adventurers when he succeeds in getting the Liar off the Ringworld, giving the adventurers— if not the "Freedom to Live"— then at least the freedom to return home. Also, the story foretells that Louis will return in triumph to Human Space with the prize of the Long Shot.
A Comparison of Ringworld, "Star Wars" and "The Wizard of Oz"
A solo analysis of a story according to the template of the Hero's Journey may be interesting, but
even better is a comparison between different stories. See below:
Stages of the Hero's Journey
The Call to Adventure
Ringworld
Nessus entices Louis to go on a mysterious journey.
"Star Wars"
Obi-Wan asks Luke to accompany him to Alderaan.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Elmira Gulch takes Toto away to be killed.
Refusal of the Call
Ringworld
Teela refuses to go.
"Star Wars"
Luke refuses to go; "Uncle Owen needs me for the harvest."
"The Wizard of Oz"
After running away with Toto, Dorothy decides to return home.
Supernatural Aid
Ringworld
Nessus provides the Long Shot and the Liar; later he provides flycycles &
flashlight-lasers.
"Star Wars"
Obi-Wan gives Luke a lightsaber and some advice.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Glinda gives Dorothy the Ruby Slippers and some advice.
The Crossing of the First Threshold
Ringworld
First: The voyage of the Long Shot to the Fleet of Worlds; Speaker as Threshold Guardian
tries to hijack the ship. Second: The voyage of the Liar to the Ringworld; the
"meteor defense laser" is Threshold Guardian.
"Star Wars"
Luke enters the Mos Eisley Cantina, filled with strange beings. An ugly barfly who threatens to kill
Luke is Threshold Guardian.
"The Wizard of Oz"
The tornado whisks Dorothy to Oz and acts as Threshold Guardian in its deadly threat.
The Belly of the Whale
Ringworld
Louis' flycycle is pulled into the "police trap" and he is trapped by crash balloons.
"Star Wars"
Luke slides into the garbage masher, then is pulled underwater and nearly drowns.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy is locked in the Wicked Witch's castle and threatened with execution.
The Road of Trials
Ringworld
Various obstacles in exploring the Ringworld and attempts to rescue the Liar; most notably
the fight in the city where the shadow square wire falls.
"Star Wars"
The running fights through the Death Star and en route to the Rebel base.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Encounters while following the Yellow Brick Road.
Meeting with the Goddess
Ringworld
Teela meets Louis (genders are reversed) and falls in love.
"Star Wars"
Luke meets Leia and develops an interest.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy meets Glinda.
Woman as the Temptress aka Temptation Away from the True Path
Ringworld
Prill uses her sexual prowess to hold Louis in thrall.
"Star Wars"
Luke is warned about the temptation of the Dark Side of the Force; he is tempted to try using
the targeting computer to destroy the Death Star.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy accepts the Wizard's offer to return her home, but his offer proves false as he can't
control his balloon.
Atonement with the Father
Ringworld
Teela angrily leaves the group when Louis (her father-figure) laughs at her; later he apologizes
and they are reconciled.
"Star Wars"
Luke is reconciled to Obi-Wan's death when he is visited by his mentor's spirit.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy is angry to discover the Wizard is a fraud, but he's a kind man and they become friends.
Apotheosis (Becoming God-Like)
Ringworld
Teela matures and comes to realize her true nature. Louis has a conceptual breakthrough about
Fist-of-God; he gains greater understanding of his world with knowledge of Puppeteer manipulations.
"Star Wars"
Luke learns to use the Force.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy comes to realize the power to return home was within her all along.
The Ultimate Boon
Ringworld
Louis takes the shadow square wire and hauls it back to rescue the Liar. Completing the
mission will win him the prize of the Long Shot.
"Star Wars"
Louis rescues Leia; they deliver the plans for the Death Star to the hidden Rebel base.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy wins the Wicked Witch's broomstick.
Refusal of the Return
Ringworld
Teela refuses to return home, staying on the Ringworld with Seeker.
"Star Wars"
Luke wants to stay and avenge Obi-Wan. "Run, Luke, Run!"
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy is reluctant to leave her new friends to return home.
The Magic Flight
Ringworld
Teela flies into the eye storm and her companions pursue. There is a brief pursuit by natives
after Speaker seizes the Ultimate Boon, the shadow square wire.
"Star Wars"
Tie fighters chase the Millennium Falcon after it leaves the Death Star.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy and companions are pursued by flying monkeys and by guards at the Wicked Witch's castle.
Rescue from Without
Ringworld
Louis and Speaker are rescued by Nessus from the police trap; Louis is rescued by Nessus from
Prill's enthrallment.
"Star Wars"
Luke is rescued by Han during his trench run on the Death Star.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy's friends rescue her from imprisonment in the Wicked Witch's castle.
The Crossing of the Return Threshold
Ringworld
The Liar exits the Ringworld through the hole at the top of Fist-of-God mountain.
"Star Wars"
Luke is greeted by his friends upon landing after destroying the Death Star.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy awakens to find herself at home, surrounded by family and friends.
Master of the Two Worlds
Ringworld
Louis' conceptual breakthrough gives him the ability to visualize Fist-of-God as an escape route
for the Liar.
"Star Wars"
Luke's mundane piloting skill and mystical mastery of the Force combine to allow him to destroy
the Death Star. Later his mastery is recognized in a triumphal ceremony.
"The Wizard of Oz"
Dorothy awakens to find herself at home, surrounded by family and friends.
