Star Wars creator George Lucas was born in 1944.

As he was writing the script for the original Star Wars films in the 1970s, George Lucas spent a great deal of time reading and interviewing mythologist Joseph Campbell, whose ideas included a concept called "The Hero's Journey," the archetypal hero story that is found in cultures around the world. Lucas based much of his plot for the films on the stages of this journey, which, along with a relentlessly successful advertising campaign, might help explain the films' amazing popularity.

Use The Hero's Journey Interactive tool to describe how Luke Skywalker meets each stage of the journey:

• Call to Adventure
• Refusal of the Call
• Mentor Figure(s)/Supernatural Aid
• First Threshold
• Belly of the Whale
• Road of Trials
• Meeting with the Goddess/Temptress
• Atonement/Death of Mentor
• Apotheosis/Underworld
• Ultimate Boon
• Rescue from Without
• Crossing Back/Return

Then, brainstorm other works that use the formula, such as The Lord of the Rings.

• Star Wars: The Magic of Myth
  

  This National Air and Space Museum exhibit highlights elements of myth and the Hero's Journey in the Star Wars films. Also included are image galleries and audio clips.

• The Hero's Journey in Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces and Star Wars
  

  This extensive site connects Star Wars and Campbell's Hero's Journey. References to all three original films are included.

• Star Wars Books
  

  This page from Kidsreads.com provides resources related to the series of books based on the Star Wars films.

• Make-A-Hero Website
  

  Lucas Learning offers this page where students can explore heroes from around the world. They create their own heroes by placing various elements into an online flip book.