Enlightenment of Literary Hero's Motivates Readers - Assignment Example

Reading about the Enlightenment of Literary Heros Motivates Readers to Undergo the Same Journey Introduction Joseph Campbell is renowned for his book titled The Hero with a Thousand Faces, which was published in 1973. Campbell had been studying literature for some time and decided to venture in understanding mythology and the folklore narratives from different cultures. He later undertook a close analysis of myths from these different cultures unlike previous analysts; he focused on the similarities between mythology techniques from different societies and not the differences. Such an analysis whose objective was identifying factors that brought different myths together enabled him to develop a monomyth that represented a hero’s journey in any myth or narrative. Campbell focused on discussing the enlightenment process that each hero or protagonist undergoes throughout the narrative. He identified different stages that eventually lead the protagonist to a level of enlightenment. These stages define the monomyth that he developed as he represents all the stages that define the protagonist’s journey. Over the years, Campbell’s monomyth of the hero’s journey has become a critical aspect of the human experience. As readers become more familiar with the monomyth in different narratives, they face a salient challenge of pursuing enlightenment in their lives irrespective of the situation. This paper will consider how Campbell’s monomyth of enlightenment influences readers to pursue enlightenment in their lives (Bloom and Hobby 53). The book titled The Hero with a Thousand Faces which Campbell authored in order to describe the similarities he had observed in a diverse range of mythology techniques from different cultures has been an influential read to many people. After a rigorous research process, Campbell focused on a narrowed field named comparative mythology. In this field, he was able to familiarize himself with myths and narratives from Mesopotamia and even the modern western society (Bloom and Hobby 88). After consideration of a diverse range of myths from societies across the globe, he settled on authoring the highly influential text that has been a selected literature books for schools and to researchers. In his description of different myths, he identified a unique pattern which was observable across all the regions in their myths. He named it a monomyth pattern because of its universality across different cultures (Bloom and Hobby 64). According to him, this pattern is evident in every story that has existed in different societies. It is common in books and also serves as a guideline in the development of movies. More importantly, Campbell had the conviction that the monomyth pattern was also an integral part of the human life (Campbell, Cousineau, and Brown 62). He reasoned that the different stages that heroes and protagonist undergo were the similar stages that each individual had to undergo in daily life. In order to understand how these steps are reflected in daily life, it is critical to explore them in this paper before describing how readers are motivated towards their own enlightenment by reading different myths. The Hero’s Journey as Described by Campbell As highlighted above, Campbell was keen to highlight that myths from different societies exhibited a universal pattern. He therefore focused on describing the pattern that he had observed. Although he presents a lengthy description in his book with numerous pages, this paper will offer a precise description of the different stages and later highlight how the different stages challenge readers to undergo a process of change in their lives. According to Campbell, many of the myths usually start in a phase that he describes as the ordinary world. The hero or the protagonist in this phase has not encountered anything, but he is markedly at the starting point (Campbell, Cousineau, and Brown 75). The hero intents to go on a journey of enlightenment that can transform him or her from the starting point to a noticeable level of enlightenment. Many of the narratives that have been retold in different centuries clearly exhibit the presence of this stage in the initial phase. In this chronological journey, the hero or the protagonist may receive a call that makes him or her realize that the external world does exist and that the hero can contribute actively in that world. Many heroes and protagonists depicted in different stories usually receive an invitation to try out new things. Notably, at this phase, the hero is yet to decide whether he or she will heed the call to adventure. In the third stage, Campbell highlights that the identified hero is likely to turn down the call to explore any adventure. In the view of Campbell, he had sought to understand why Campbell described this stage as the refusal of the call (Bloom and Hobby 91). A close consideration reveals that, at this stage, the heroes /protagonists usually undergo a process of doubt which overwhelms self-confidence a factor that makes the hero turn down the call. On the stage that follows, Campbell highlighted that heroes/protagonists are likely to encounter individuals who can alter their decisions. For example, a hero in a literary work encounters a mentor who is likely to influence his decisions concerning the call. Usually, narratives highlight the role of mentors or certain characters in the story who take active participation in convincing the hero or protagonist that the journey ahead is worth taking. Without the conviction from such a mentor, the hero/protagonist would still remain afraid and in doubt (Bloom and Hobby 97). Usually, different societies tell myths whereby the mentor is a person with a form of authority over the hero, increasing the chances of the hero listening to the mentor. According to Campbell, after the hero’s encounter with a mentor, the likelihood that the hero will cross the first threshold increases. This is because the mentor influences the thinking of the hero giving him or her conviction that it is possible to undertake the journey towards enlightening. Therefore, the hero or the protagonist begins to leave the ordinary world and focus on the possibilities of the special world towards enlightenment (Campbell, Cousineau, and Brown 78). Campbell denotes this stage as crossing the first threshold because it marks the first instance when the hero can recognize the difference between the ordinary world and the special world. Such recognition is critical if the hero is to pursue the journey of enlightenment to the end. As Campbell illustrates, a hero’s journey towards enlightenment is not one that comes without challenges. Moreover, the hero is bound to encounter several tests in the journey as well as enemies. Enemies and tests are a sure way of determining the hero’s true intention to pursue enlightenment (Bloom and Hobby 101). Therefore, as the hero begins to perform tasks related to the journey, some people may serve to discourage him or her. In other situations, testing times, which may be hard for the hero may present themselves serving as destruction to the hero’s determination to undertake the journey towards enlightenment. Usually, many myths and stories exhibit heroes/protagonists struggling to overcome situations or enemies. Some of these trials and tests may involve violent attacks by monsters or forces of nature that serve to hinder the hero from undertaking the journey. An individual who can overcome such trials qualifies to advance to other levels of the journey (Campbell, Cousineau, and Brown 92). Campbell’s next stage in the monomyth pattern is the approach that the hero/ protagonist uses as a main strategy to achieve the intended level of enlightenment. Usually, anyone undertaking a journey must define the most appropriate approach that will ensure that the destination is rich. In the case of mythical heroes or protagonists, they rely on both external and internal preparations for the journey towards enlightenment. In many literary works, the authors ensure that they reveal the hero’s approach and strategy formulated for the journey. Without such an approach, the hero would be unable to effectively undertake the journey. After determining the approach the hero then undergoes the most critical step in the entire journey which serves as the climax of activities defining the journey. In this stage, the hero or the protagonist faces a major conflict which threatens his life and safety. In this stage, the hero must exhibit the highest level of persistence and skill in handling the situation. In real myths, this stage involves a critical fight with wizards, monsters or worriers in a bid to define the most appropriate resolution to the adventure (Campbell, Cousineau, and Brown 122). Any hero intending to undergo enlightenment successfully must ensure that he or she survives the ordeal which determines the eventual resolution of the problem. The next stage that the hero faces after getting through the ordeal involves a reward. Evidently, the hero has been through different tests and trials and has emerged a victor (Currier 48). Therefore, there is a celebration or gaining access to a treasure that defines the most important thing in the journey. In many cases, the treasure represents an abstract thing and not a physical treasure. During this stage, the hero or protagonist has undergone different transformational stages becoming a completely different person (Campbell, Cousineau, and Brown 117). Such changes have enabled him or her to survive the ordeal or other trials in the journey. After seizing the rewards, the hero advances to the next stage as described by Campbell. The next stage has been described as apotheosis and resurrection. It is at this point when the hero or protagonist exhibits enlightenment which is referred to as apotheosis. Such enlightenment marks the end of the old self and serves as a climax for a new individual. Resurrection in this stage refers to the appraising of a transformed individual after the symbolic death associated with the old self (Currier 78). This stage is very critical as it determines how much the hero or protagonist has achieved throughout the journey. It serves as a reflection of all the growth stages that the individual has undergone and places emphasis on the new traits that he or she has acquired (Campbell, Cousineau, and Brown 122). After enlightenment, it is usually time for the hero or protagonist to begin a journey back to the ordinary world. Notably, the hero has been living in the special world and undergone multiple changes that facilitated the enlightenment. In the phase that follows, it is time for the transformed individual to go back to the ordinary world. Many heroes face difficulties beginning the journey back. These difficulties result because of the increased familiarity with the special world whereby the hero has learned to be comfortable with the conditions defining the special world. However, it is critical for the hero to return to the ordinary world. In the last phase of this journey, the hero returns back to the ordinary world after gaining expertise in handling two different worlds (Currier 89). The hero or protagonist is both aware of the ordinary or the special world. However, there is a salient need for each hero to create a balance between the new and the old self (Currier 100). How the Monomyth of Campbell affects Readers Any reader encountering the hero’s journey in a myth which is defined by the above stages is usually challenging to begin a similar journey in his or her life. Sometimes, individuals may be motivated to undertake a transformational venture that may alter their human experience making them more enlightened (Jacey 311). For example, some readers have highlighted that, understanding the different stages that a hero undergoes may be critical in the healing process when one is sick. Therefore, the monomyth of Campbell has been applied in different situations to encourage people to undergo self-enlightenment (Jacey 319). It is also used in counseling and motivational sessions. Understanding the different stages prepares an individual psychologically for the challenges and the potential transformation that an enlightening journey is likely to bring. Using Campbell’s description of the hero’s journey, many people have addressed certain challenges in their lives after overcoming the challenges and the ordeals but later receiving a form of reward (Jacey 318). Conclusion Evidently, Campbell did a remarkable job in defining the monomyth exhibited by different myths from different regions. The definition of the various stages that the hero must undergo prior to enlightenment serves to motivate readers to undergo a similar procedure towards their own enlightenment. There are many testimonials on how readers encountering the monomyths in narratives have embarked on their own enlightenment journeys. Without doubt, the monomyth has made Campbell an influential individual in the society. Work Cited Bloom, Harold, and Blake, Hobby. The Heros Journey / Edited And With An Introduction By Harold Bloom ; Volume Editor, Blake Hobby. n.p.: New York : Blooms Literary Criticism, c2009., 2009. OhioLINK Library Catalog – LR. Web. 27 June 2014. Campbell, Joseph, Phil Cousineau, and Stuart L. Brown. The Heros Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work. Novato, Calif: New World Library, 2003. Print. Currier, Cindy. Forgiveness: The Heros Journey. Tate Pub & Enterprises Llc, 2010. Print. Jacey, Helen. "The Hero And Heroines Journey And The Writing Of Loy." Journal Of Screenwriting 1.2 (2010): 309-323. Film & Television Literature Index with Full Text. Web. 27 June 2014. Read More