(II) The Hero’s Journey
Crossing The Threshold
Crossing the threshold signifies that the hero has committed to the Journey. The hero must confront an event that forces them to commit to entering the special world, from which there is no turning back.
Examples of this taken from the four stories I have been mentioning are: Santiago travelling and arriving into the desert. Bran flirts with crossing into the threshold often through his dreams of the three eyed Raven. I would argue that his true crossing of the threshold was entering the land beyond the wall with Hodor. Harry Potter crosses the threshold via the magic he did at the zoo. Further crossing and committing via train to Hogwarts. Ashitaka crosses the threshold via his banishment, as well as his realization of the curse, and the powers the curse gives him.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies
Here, the hero learns the rules of the special world. Learns who they can trust. This stage must test the hero. The initiation into the special world also tests the hero’s commitment to the journey, and questions whether he can succeed.
Examples of this are: Santiago meeting the man who calls himself a king. He also meets a false alchemist before meeting a real alchemist. (I am not intimate with these stories anymore but I will have to put myself through a program to better portray to you these steps within the stories.) Bran meets Hodor, who becomes an ally to him for his whole journey. He also meets Jojen who acts as both an ally and a mentor in a sense. Harry Potter meets many allies, and is tested again and again throughout his journey. The enemies he meet along the way range from Draco Malfoy to Professor Snape (who is a fake foe) and the man himself, Voldemort. Ashitaka is tested again and again by San, who becomes his greatest ally. The village he was originally accepted into and leader who was once friendly with him is revealed to be an antagonist in his story. You could argue that story of Princess of Mononoke is really asking a question of humanity, testing what one person with a lot of power will choose to do with it.
Approach The Inmost Cave
The hero must make the preparation needed to approach the inmost cave that leads to the heart of the ordeal. At this stage the hero has survived their entrance into the special world. They may need to take a break. (Romance, an escape of some sort, etc.)
The approach may signal a ticking clock, or heightening of stakes.
Examples of this are: In the Desert when Santiago meets and falls in love with Fatima. This happens at a crucial point in the story and serves as a necessary break from his Journeys through the desert. I am unaware of what this step would be for Bran! Maybe you can leave a comment and let me know. For Harry, when he receives the cloak of invisibility for Christmas and looks in the Mirror of Erised - that shows you what you desire most - he sees his family. This happens before his encounter with the Three-Headed guard dog. In Princess Mononoke Ashitaka has a romance with San, prior to the ordeal that unfolds with the Great Forest Spirit.
Many of these themes or steps can reoccur throughout a story or be refused until these steps must be taken out of necessity.
The Ordeal
Here the hero engages in the ordeal, the life-or-death crisis, during which they face their greatest fear, confronts a most difficult challenge, and experiences “death”. The Ordeal is the central, essential, and magical stage of any journey. Only through “death” can the hero be reborn, experiencing a resurrection that grants greater powers or insight to see the journey to the end.
Examples of this are: Santiago faces this many times on his both spiritual and physical journey. His money is stolen, and all hope is lost. A “death” in a sense. Santiago is captured by people, then reborn again on the other side. The story of the Alchemist rises and falls many times during Santiago’s wonderful journey. Bran in season 1 of GOT falls, and is then crippled. Going into a coma as a result. After the coma he is reborn into a new world, his father gone, and beginning his flirtation with the special world via recurring dreams of the three-eyed Raven. Harry, after confronting Quirrel in the Sorceror’s stone is left unconscious. Waking to Dumbledore and being reborn, ready to face the rest of his many journeys. Ashitaka is shot by one of the villagers, and loses consciousness. Awaking to a new world and becoming a new man with his newly gained companion, San!
Synopsis
We walked together through the special world today! These are the four steps covered.
- Crossing the threshold
- Tests, Allies, and Enemies
- Approach the Inmost Cave
- The Ordeal
Next week, we’ll be heading into the ordinary world, but now transformed. What will happen once we return?
Find out next week!! :)
I hope you’ve had a good week. I’ll share some photos here as I always do.
Stay warm.
dc
