Epic Tales and Galactic Trails

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is about examining the intertextual relationship between the film “Star Wars” and the book “Hero With a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell. It asks students to consider what “Star Wars” is based on, to describe the content of Campbell’s book, to explain how the two are related, and to define the type of intertextuality exemplified by their relationship. By answering these questions, students are prompted to think about how a modern film can be influenced by theoretical texts on mythology and storytelling. The worksheet not only encourages students to identify the influences on “Star Wars” but also to articulate the specific nature of the intertextual connection.

The worksheet aims to teach students about the impact of literary theory on creative media and how foundational texts can shape modern storytelling. By exploring the connection between “Star Wars” and Campbell’s work on the monomyth or the “hero’s journey,” students learn how ancient narrative structures continue to inform contemporary stories. The task also introduces them to the concept of intertextuality as a deliberate form of referencing that enriches the narrative depth and complexity of a text. Students are encouraged to think critically about the ways in which stories from different times and mediums can converse and intersect.