What term is used to describe the universal narrative pattern identified by Campbell?

• A. Monomyth
• B. Myth
• C. Epic
• D. Saga

Answer: (A)

The term monomyth describes the universal narrative pattern identified by Campbell. He called it the hero’s journey: a tale of leaving the ordinary world, meeting mentors or allies, facing trials, undergoing a transformative ordeal, and returning home with new wisdom. This overarching structure appears across many myths from different cultures, which is why it’s described as a single, shared story pattern rather than one particular tale.

This concept differs from other terms. A myth is a traditional story itself, often explaining beliefs or natural phenomena. An epic is a long narrative poem about heroic deeds. A saga is a lengthy tale of adventures, often focusing on a family's lineage. The monomyth is about the common arc that many stories can follow, not about any one story or genre.