The Matrix - Monomyth Assessment

The 17 Stages of the Monomyth, as Represented by The Matrix

Departure- Neo is awakened by his computer

The Call to Adventure- Trinity meets Neo and says he will find the answer to the Matrix if he seeks it

Refusal of the Call- Neo refuses to risk his life on the scaffolding to avoid the agents

Supernatural Aid- Neo takes Morpheus’ pills

The Crossing of the First Threshold- Neo wakes up in the power plant (Act One Climax)

Belly of The Whale- Neo is shown what the Matrix is in the contruct-explanation Scene with Morpheus

Initiation- Morpheus tells Neo he is the answer to the prophecy of The One

The Road of Trials- Neo

The Meeting With the Goddess- Not clearly represented until the scne after the climax- but Neo may begin to suspect Trinity’s feelings in the car scene riding to see the oracle

Woman as Temptress- Cypher represents the temptress here, and this occurs before seeing the oracle, in the scene where Neo and Cypher share a drink

Atonement with the Father- The meeting with the oracle, and her prophecy for Neo

Apotheosis- Despite a literal apotheosis at climax, this could be considered to be the film’s Crisis proper- Neo realizes that the oracle has prophesized the hoice between Morpheus’ life and his own- Neo chooses to die, but in doing so he is reaching a higher purpose, and he has gone beyond his lost, doubtful past life to a new existence of resolve.

The Ultimate Boon- This would be when Neo is woken up by Trinity, and sees the code of the matrix in everything around him. He is The One, and has reached a form of enlightenment.

Return

Refusal of the Return- Not much of one here…but Neo does stick around to PWN the agents before Trinity calls him back.

The Magic Flight-Neo must rush against the sentinels to get back, and his sped-up flight to the phone is almost a figurative magic carpet ride.

Rescue from Without- Trinity literally calls him back.

The Crossing of the Return Threshold- This one is weak, Neo wakes up from The Matrix and now kisses Trinity, accepting what he chose to ignore before. Again, this might not really get hit.

Master of Two Worlds- He’s the man inside and out now, as The One.

Freedom to Live- Neo’s final speech is all about passing on the freedom to live to others