Sunday, July 28, 2019
Evaluating the Hero's Journey of Harry Potter Essay
Evaluating the Hero's Journey of Harry Potter - Essay Example We instantly feel connected to the ordinary man, who is destined to turn into an epitome of gallantry, because ââ¬Å"what weââ¬â¢re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances within our own innermost being and realityâ⬠(Campbell and Moyers 4). This is why the pattern of a heroââ¬â¢s journey has always been the same in every period. Christopher Vogler and Stuart Voytilla categorized Campbellââ¬â¢s theory into twelve stages. Amazingly, most of the present age literature and cinematic masterpieces fit perfectly on these stages. To prove this theory, we need to compare a modern example of heroic endeavor with these stages. This paper is an attempt to evaluate the journey of Harry Potter, the ultimate icon of a mythic hero for todayââ¬â¢s generation, in the movie ââ¬Å"Harry Potter and the Philosopherââ¬â¢s Stone. ââ¬Å" The first stage introduces us to the hero's ordinary world. Voytilla describes it as ââ¬Å"the Heroââ¬â¢s home, the safe haven upon which the Special World and the Journeyââ¬â¢s outcome must be comparedâ⬠(Voytilla 8). In this stage, a deliberative effort is made by every storyteller to express the heroââ¬â¢s dissatisfaction with his life. In the movie, Harry is an orphan leading a miserable life under the guardianship of his uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and cousin Dudley. Their attitude is hostile and harry live inside a cupboard. Rowling describes his life in the book as ââ¬Å"the Dursleys often spoke about Harry, as though he was something very nasty that couldnââ¬â¢t understand them, like a slugâ⬠(Mulholland 108). This aspect of a heroââ¬â¢s life is indispensable because troubled life makes the hero stronger, able to rely on himself, and enhances his decision-making power (Vogler 84). According to Neil Mulholland ââ¬Å"Harry is a great wizard. However, often, greatness is bred from childhood strifeâ⬠(Mulholland 8 9). The second stage initiates the call to adventure which Campbell believed ââ¬Å"signifies that destiny has summoned the heroâ⬠(Campbell 48). It could be a call in its literal meaning, or just anything that could compel the hero to leave the ordinary world (Vogler 100). In Harryââ¬â¢s journey, a call comes on his 11th birthday when he receives a ââ¬Å"letter from No Oneâ⬠about being accepted in Hogwarts. Later, Rubeus Hagrid appears at the door and informs Harry that he is a wizard and the time has come to join Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft. Third stage implies the heroââ¬â¢s refusal to the call. It happens because of ââ¬Å"the fears and insecurities that have surfaced from the Call to Adventureâ⬠(Voytilla 8). Harryââ¬â¢s initial response to Hagridââ¬â¢s proposal is ââ¬Å"I think you must have made a mistake. I don't think I can be a wizard." Heroââ¬â¢s reluctance is natural because fear of the unknown is human nature. The uncertainty surr ounding the task, and the mysterious special world offered is what entices the hero, and restrain him from taking the step as well (Vogler 107). Fourth stage involves meeting the mentor. Voytilla explains that ââ¬Å"the Hero meets a Mentor to gain confidence, insight, advice, training, or magical gifts to overcome the initial fearsâ⬠(Voytilla 9). In every tale, there is some guiding factor, most likely a man or woman, who compels, explains, and trains the hero (Vogler 39). Harry is mentored initially by Hagrid and later Albus Dumbledore, the principal of Hogwarts. They not only enlighten him
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