Graduate Program

English

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2009

Thesis Director

David Radavich

Thesis Committee Member

Carol Stevens

Thesis Committee Member

Jad Smith

Abstract

This thesis consists of a short screenplay coupled with an introductory essay. The focus of the story and the essay is an examination of the "hero" and the hero's journey as deciphered by Joseph Campbell. My focus was on the heroic elements of the American superhero as depicted on both the big and small screen.

The essay outlines Campbell's cycle or journey that all heroes have in one way or another. I profile prominent examples of the "classic" heroic journey as depicted in modem American cinema. I use Luke Skywalker as the most basic example. I then examine less "typical" heroic figures in film that fill the role of hero in the story, but in more unconventional ways. I use many examples including George McFly from Back to the Future and Harry Potter from the book and film series of the same name.

I profile and explore superheroes that diverge from the "Superman" path such as Spider-Man and Batman. I highlight how their individual heroic journeys vary yet still follow Campbell's cycle. Those two elements work together to make successful superhero screen stories.

I discuss my primary idea of an atypical superhero name Captain David Raspberry, which diverges from the exemplified superhero characteristics in successful American screen stories. Captain Raspberry's journey works more similarly to the nonsuper or "comic" hero discussed earlier while also fulfilling the standards of Campbell's heroic. cycle.

My short screenplay is an early origin story of the first Captain Raspberry, Captain Curtis Raspberry and Commander H.F. Lime. Together their heroic journeys set the circumstances in motion that will later lead to the birth of the second Captain Raspberry, Captain David Raspberry, who will become the main focus of his own feature-length superhero story in the future.

Campbell labeled certain characters "helper" characters, such as the "wise old wizard" which my short screenplay sets up Commander Lime to later become for Captain David Raspberry. Campbell also discovered that heroes often have mysterious origins, and must make atonements with their fathers, or father figures, to reconcile their journeys in order to eventually succeed as heroes. The short screenplay lays the foundation for captain David Raspberry's birth with the heroic and mysterious journey of his father, Captain Curtis Raspberry.

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