LONG: HP and the Heros' Journeys

[monicawitt at msn.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 29962

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Heather Moore" <heathernmoore at y...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., monicawitt at m... wrote:
> > 
> > It reminds me of Joseph Campbell-type thinking. Harry is 
undergoing 
> > the Hero's Journey. > 

>  Below is one breakdown major stages of the Hero's Journey.> I had 
originally intended to map this out to the books, but on second 
thought I believe it would be more interesting to do that as a 
collaborative exercise, so I'll just tack in my commentary on the 
stages in brief.
> 
> 
>   1. The Ordinary World - the protagonist in his/her natural state, 
secure in a sense of routine. Obviously, "ordinary" doesn't 
necessarily equate with "muggle" in this world. The sense of security 
in this stage, in turn, does not tautologically denote happiness or 
feelings of well-being.  
> 
>  2. The Call to Adventure -- in which the protagonist comes to 
understand that things are changing and they are no longer insulated 
against change.
> 
> Both Harry (all of PS/SS is devoted to this?) and Snape have passed 
this stage.>

Hmm.. I kind of think that maybe it's not really until the very end 
of PS/SS. If Harry's Ordinary World is the WW, then things don't 
really change until he faces LV at the very end of the book.
> 
>   3. The Refusal of the Call -- in which the character scoffs at 
the idea of being capable of greatness, or would prefer not to get 
involved. This is not always a prominent element of hero stories.> 

Harry's refusal would be just trying to get back down to business and 
be a regular Hogwarts student (which of course he can never be). I 
think this comes to a head in GoF, when he's picked to be a 
champion...
 
>   4. Meeting with the Mentor -- the mentor can take many forms, and 
usually imposes itself on the hero, rather than being sought out. It 
is the source which clarifies the hero's changed status.>

IMO, Sirius is Harry's true Mentor. Dumbledore is more an authority 
figure, and it's Sirius that brings Harry to the Special World.
 
>  5. Crossing the First Threshold -- the entrance into the Special 
World, when things get dangerous *at the level that they will remain 
for some time.*  Here they confront the Guardian so that they can 
continue. I'm torn whether this occurs in the first book (the most 
obvious interpretaton) or the fourth book (as Harry's final Mentor 
(Sirius) isn't in place until PoA).>

I'd put this stage at the very end of PoA, when Harry realizes that 
it was himself he saw at the edge of the forest, and, as part of 
crossing the threshold, brings forth his Patronis. The type of threat 
the Dementors represent goes beyond that posed by ordinary chills-and-
spiils adventure, and the intensity of the danger Harry is in is 
considerably amped up at that point.
   
>   6. Tests, Allies, Enemies -- usually the longest stage.  Is Harry 
just entering it, or has he been here a while? > 

Hmmm... I'd say he's about to enter this stage. At the end of GoF, an 
alignment of good vs. evil takes place -- the battle begins in 
earnest -- characters define themselves as being for or against LV. I 
love the realistic touch of Fudge becoming a baddie not by being 
openly evil, but by his refusal to accept that he must change his 
beliefs and practices. It's evocative of the attitudes many Germans 
(especially Jewish Germans) had as Hitler rose to power: no-one's 
capable of being that evil, that strong, they're all madmen, saner 
heads will prevail, they wouldn't dare... 

>    7. Approaching the Dark Heart -- at this stage, the hero 
believes he has all the pieces of the puzzle and understands his 
situation enough to shoulder the task at hand. Harry's Dark Heart is 
external - it's Voldemort. I don't believe we've seen this element 
yet.> 

Is it LV? It could be Harry's Dark Heart is internal. I don't think 
he's really been tested yet, and LV and Harry share a lot of overt 
(same wand core, being parselmouths) and not so overt (both part 
Muggle, similar appearance pre-snakey LV) characteristics.

The rest of the points in the journey seem to be coming up later. 
It's possible he's had his Supreme Ordeal at the end of GoF. I'd have 
to say the outcome falls into the "very unsatisfactory" category, but 
as Harry didn't set out to deliberately confront Voldemort, it may 
come later.

>   8. The Supreme Ordeal -- In this phase, the hero has had a very 
unsatisfactory confrontation with the Dark Heart and failed to 
destroy it. They are in danger of losing their nerve and their lives. 
> 
>  9.  The Reward --  Something vital which has been missing or 
suppressed comes to light, setting the hero back on track. This is 
usually a very quick incident.
> 
>   10. The Road Back -- This is the resolution to the danger entered 
upon during the First Threshold. The protagonist has not won, but at 
this point, the Dark Heart is doomed to failure, whether it realizes 
it or not. This is often a return to the "one damn thing after 
another" style of Phase Six, but the protagonist consistently 
prevails.
> 
>   11. The Final Threshold  - in which the hero is threatened anews, 
purified, and defeats the Dark Heart.
> 
>   12. The Return = rewards, realizations.

I'm glad I joined this group, it's great to discuss this stuff! Thank 
you!

-- Monica