Amber Samsel: Heroes With a Thousand Faces - Class Reading (Req. 1): Blog 1

 Overall, I quite enjoyed reading and discussing our book for the first few weeks of class. My favorite thing that we discussed would be the departure of the hero. It always fascinates me that the protagonist in a story will often refuse their journey because they do not see themselves as worthy, or they claim "You've got the wrong guy." It's funny when you simply think about it as a book you are reading, so obviously this character is meant to go, but at the same time if someone were to tell me tomorrow that I have a four month long quest to retrieve some stolen item and give it back to it's owner before a war broke out, I too would dismiss it as "You've got the wrong number." 

But if we think about these characters who dismiss this calling, I have noticed that they are all very similar. They are not the strong, in-the-spotlight heroes that everyone knows, but rather the one's who have a somewhat normal life. Perhaps some of you can, but I cannot think of a story where someone who grew up in a relatively normal household needs to go on an adventure. It is usually the shy ones who have it rough. I suppose though, that the only way to become in the spotlight is by going through these journeys and becoming a successful hero. Everyone counts on them to bring back new knowledge to better help them survive, but it is interesting to think what if it never happened? What if the hero gave up shortly after his departure and never returned? I guess it wouldn't make for a very good story. But that is why I think the departure is the most important part, because even if they are still in denial, as long as they continue moving, they will eventually come to accept their journey. 

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