Representation of The Heroine's Journey in Barbie(2023)
Maureen Murdock's version of the Heroine's Journey can be seen in the plot of the 2023 film "Barbie". The first step, Separation from the Feminine, and the second step, identification with the masculine, are represented by Barbie deciding to go to the real world, with Ken also going with her. The Road of Trials would be traveling to the real world, and Finding the Boon of Success would be actually entering the real world. The Awakening to Feelings of Spiritual Aridity comes almost immediately after, as it is represented by Barbie realizing that the real world was not what she thought it would be (controlled by men, while Barbie's world is controlled by women). Initiation and descent into the goddess would be when Ken starts to take over Barbie's world and Barbie starts to feel hopeless. Urgent Yearning to Reconnect with the Feminine and Healing the Mother/Daughter Split are represented by Barbie taking back her world from Ken. Healing the Wounded Masculine an...