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The hero’s journey, defined by mythologist Joseph Campbell, is the archetypal story structure of most legends, films, and novels. Willing or not, the hero leaves the ordinary world for a strange and dangerous one, overcomes foes and challenges, and returns home transformed. Transformation happens because the hero must grow beyond old mindsets, habits, or beliefs to survive the quest.
We’re in the middle act of a hero’s journey now, thrust out of “normal” into an unfamiliar land of illness, job loss, fear, isolation, and grief. Though my dragons are relatively few, old patterns hold me back, like discomfort with technology or a penchant for family travel. I’m growing more tolerant of human error, more attentive to the here and now. Perhaps larger changes lie ahead. What transformations may unfold on your hero’s journey as you face the dragons of this strange time?
4 Comments
Connie Gill
7/13/2020 07:21:46 am
I am working to transform old patterns of dealing with stress, while at the same time constantly hoping for supernatural aid. 7/13/2020 09:12:43 am
Love it, Connie. Facing the stress dragon compels the transformation. Some myths offer supernatural aid, some don't - which will this be? 7/16/2020 07:15:45 am
Rebecca, fascinating. Sets my imagination to work on how this new pandemic world stretches the capacity and need to delegate. Perhaps having other household members in the same space day in and day out, unsuited to old habits of autonomy? Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI'm a historian who writes novels and literary nonfiction. My home base is Madison, Wisconsin. Archives
November 2023
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