The Villain's Journey: The Descent Into Madness (HS English Synthesis Seminar)
Heroes aren't the only ones with a journey story arc. Villains have a journey as well. Join me as we research villains in books & film to discover exactly what their journey is. #academic
"Mr. J." (Jeremy Ballard)
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What's included
8 live meetings
6 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
4+ hours per week. In this course students will read two novels (students may choose to watch 'Lolita," in lieu of reading) one graphic novel, and watch 4-5 films.Class Experience
US Grade 10 - 12
*Parental Guidance Strongly Suggested: Please be aware that movies in this course are rated R. In addition, "Lolita" contains sexual themes that may be sensitive for some learners. The Descent Into Madness: The Villain’s Journey Heroes may be great, but it is the villain that drives the story. If it wasn’t for the villain, the hero would just be rescuing cats from trees. Evil is necessary if you want a hero because the hero reacts to the villain. The hero is waiting, standing around doing nothing, while the villain is planning and acting, setting the story in motion. But what makes a villain a villain? Perspective is often a part of it, but just like the hero has a journey, so does the villain. In this short synthesis seminar, we will explore the villain’s journey as he descends into madness. As a class we will discuss and analyze a variety of villains from film, literature, and comics, comparing each of their journeys and how those journeys ultimately shape the villain. In this course students will read two novels (one book may be substituted with the film if needed), one graphic novel (motion comic available on youtube), and watch 4-5 films. While there is a specific arc the Villain’s Journey follows, the design of this course will allow students to synthesis their research through books and film, allowing them use that information to put the specific arc together for themselves. Texts and Films Required Reading: “The Killing Joke” Alan Moore (graphic novel or motion comic) “Frankenstein” Mary Shelly “Lolita” Vladamir Nabokov (Or Film) Required Films “The Joker” “The Godfather Part 1” “The Godfather Part 2”( Recommended) “The Shining” “Fight Club” While the class discussions will focus on the above listed films and books, we will also discuss additional works. Basic information on these characters will be provided in class; however, it would be helpful if students have some familiarity and prior knowledge with at least some of the following characters: Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill, “The Silence of the Lambs” Norman Bates “Psycho” and the “Bates Motel” Darth Vader (and Anakin Skywalker) “Star Wars” I-VI Lex Luthor, Superman comics and films Harvey Dent, Batman Comics and Films Voldemort, “Harry Potter” Series The Wicked Witch of the West, “The Wizard of Oz” Dracula (and vampires in general) Mr. Hyde, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Course Outline Daily lessons reflect primary topic area, villain, and book/film. Additional villains may also be discussed within the independent lessons. 1.Course introduction, the Hero’s Journey, Character Archetypes, and the villain’s role and perspective. 2.The Cracking point: failure and one bad day: “The Joker” 3.Internal conflict: “The Godfather” Parts 1 & 2 4.Identity Crisis: “Fight Club 5.Isolation: “The Shining” 6.Vengeance: “Frankenstein” 7.Obsession: “Lolita” 8.Constructing the Villain’s Journey story arc
Learning Goals
Students will synthesis information as we explore the villain's journey and his decent into madness. Part research and synthesis part discussion and analysis, students will learn how a villain progresses and better understand his essential role.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parental Guidance Strongly Suggested
This course will focus on character analysis and to do so we must examine characters from books and films. Most of these characters behave in a manner that may evoke strong emotional reaction or in matters that may be deemed "sensitive topics." Therefore, be advised that this class is intended for mature learners only.
Please be aware that movies in this course are rated R. Parents are encouraged to watch films with their teens so that parents may address any sensitive issues. These films will be discussed in class as we examine the specific villain and how their story moves. This is not a film analysis class, and therefore we will not be examining every scene, nor the film as a whole, but rather the character themself.
In addition, "Lolita" contains sexual themes that may be sensitive for some learners. This classic novel tells the story of an older man's desire for a teenage girl that eventually leads to an affair. The scenes are not graphic in nature, and are referred to rather than described, but allusions to their sexual intimacy are very clear. The discussions about this novel do not pertain to sex, but rather focus on the two main characters, their relationship, and their individual struggles as we discuss and question who the real villain is, Humbert or Lolita, or both.
About the movies
What parents need to know, from "Common Sense Media."
"The Joker"
Parents need to know that Joker is an intense, complex, powerful thriller starring Joaquin Phoenix as the famous Batman villain. It's far darker and more violent than other takes on the character. Expect extremely graphic killings and blood spatters/sprays, guns and shooting, and stabbing. Several characters bully and beat up the main character, punching and kicking him, and there are scenes of fighting, rioting, rage, and shouting, as well as a scene of smothering with a pillow. There's brief nudity as the pages of a journal are flipped through, plus images and movie titles on porno theaters. The main character is shown with his hand down the front of his underwear, suggesting masturbation, and there's kissing. Language isn't constant but includes uses of "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," etc. The main character takes prescription pills, and characters smoke frequently. The Joker isn't presented as a role model, but the movie does condemn those who do nothing to help the downtrodden get on their feet, which positions him as a somewhat sympathetic character. It also suggests that mental illness is one of the contributing factors to his villainous acts and behavior, which is troubling. The story disparages hate, anger, and unkindness, but it doesn't exactly promote kindness, love, or generosity.
"The Godfather" (Part I &II)
Parents need to know that The Godfather is the classic, genre-defining Mafia movie in which Marlon Brando plays the titular character, who's facing grave threats from rival families. Unsurprisingly, there's constant violence. Characters are shot and killed, often at close range in graphic scenes. Characters are strangled to death and die in car explosions. Domestic abuse is shown: A man beats his wife with a belt. In one of many iconic scenes, a movie executive wakes up covered in blood, with a decapitated horse's head in his bed. In the opening scene, a man asks Don Corleone for vengeance after two men raped and beat his daughter. Ethnic and racial slurs are heard, as well as some profanity, including the "N" word. The movie also depicts Italian American culture in a sympathetic but crude and stereotypical light. Characters smoke cigarettes and drink wine, and there's brief nudity (female breasts) and a scene of clothed but audible sex. References are made to the sexual behavior of Sonny (James Caan) and Fredo (John Cazale).
"The Shining"
Parents need to know that The Shining is the classic 1980 Stanley Kubrick-directed film based on the Stephen King novel about a man hired to be the caretaker of a hotel deep in the mountains of Colorado who develops severe dementia from a combination of "cabin fever" and the dark and haunted past of the hotel. Blood flows throughout this film -- literally -- in several notorious scenes. There are axe murders and decomposed bodies. The main character, a recovering alcoholic, slowly goes insane and aims to kill his family. He verbally abuses his wife throughout most of the film. There's some alcohol and cigarette use. The main character's wife discusses with a child psychologist a recent incident in which her husband came home drunk and physically abused their son Danny. There's occasional profanity, including a scene in which the cook of the hotel is called the "N" word and a use of "f--k." Frequent horror imagery. Full-frontal nudity -- an attractive young woman turns into an elderly woman with rotting skin. Implied oral sex in a sequence of nightmarish imagery.
"Fight Club"
Parents need to know that Fight Club is the 1999 movie based on the Chuck Palahniuk novel in which Edward Norton plays an insomniac office worker who meets his masculine ideal opposite with whom he begins to get in touch with his primal self as well as a desire to sabotage consumer culture. Impressionable kids and teens are likely to miss the dark satire while witnessing numerous examples of graphic beatings, vandalism, shootings, and bombings. The overall cloud of nihilism permeating this movie, the lead character's attempts to place subliminal one-frame shots of pornography in family movies in a theater where he works as a projectionist, scenes in which characters who work in restaurants urinate in food, a scene in which the female lead, after engaging in loud and passionate sex, says, "I haven't been f--ked like that since grade school," as well as the aforementioned graphic violence, make this best for audiences mature enough to see the film's deeper messages on the ways in which consumer culture warps our individuality and self esteem. There's also frequent profanity, nudity, smoking, and drinking.
Supply List
Students and parents are responsible for obtaining their own copies of the books and acquiring their own viewing access for the films.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2022
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Teacher expertise and credentials
California Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of California Santa Barbara
I have been a high school English teacher for ten years, working in both the United States and China. I have taught both AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition. I have worked in education for nearly 20 years, including 15 years coaching speech and debate. I specialize in writing instruction and literary analysis.Reviews
Live Group Class
$150
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
50 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 15-18
5-18 learners per class
