The Heroic Shift: Emergence of the Collective as 21st-Century Hero

(Hardback)

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This volume explores the rise of the collective hero as the defining archetype of the 21st century, reflecting shifts in global society, culture, and media.

The collective hero emerges as the defining archetype of the 21st century, reflecting shifts in global society, culture, and media. Moving beyond the individualistic hero of Western myth, this volume explores the challenges of today's world and calls for a new heroic model characterized by collaboration and balance. Drawing from popular culture and media, the collective hero is presented as a dynamic and diverse group where individual identities intersect, adapt, and contribute to a greater purpose. Central to the model is the theme of balance, which becomes both the end goal and the ethical core of collective hero stories. Looking at a variety of contemporary examples across media platforms, this volume analyzes how collectives function both narratively and in reality, constructing archetypes within groups and mirroring the complexity of real-world social dynamics.

Ultimately, the authors assert that collective heroism is not utopian fantasy, but a necessary cultural evolution for navigating social complexity, building resilient communities, and envisioning more democratic, pluralistic, and environmentally conscious futures.

Author Bio

Priscilla Hobbs is a Senior Associate Dean at Southern New Hampshire University, USA. She is the author of Harry Potter and the Myth of Millennials: Identity, Reception, and Politics (Bloomsbury 2022) and Walts Utopia: Disneyland and American Mythmaking (2024) and is the editor of the Studies in Disney and Culture series for Bloomsbury.

Rebekah Lovejoy is Independent Scholar and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializing in LGBTQ+, Womens Issues, and Neurodivergent Affirming Care, USA. She is a writer, educator, and artist. Dr. Lovejoy offers trainings in Creative Processing, Womens Stories and Neurodivergent Skills.