The hero’s Journey: The mentors/guides & crossing the threshold Brief excerpts from a talk given by Zulfiqar Awan
Themes
▸ Meeting the Guide (s)
▸ Text: Lion King
▸ Movie: Avatar
▸ Crossing the threshold
▸ Text: King Arthur
▸ Movie: Hunger Games
Meeting the Guide/Mentor
For those who have not refused the call, the first encounter of the hero-journey is with a protective figure (often a little old crone or old man) who provides the adventurer with amulets against the dragon forces he is about to pass. What such a figure represents is the benign, protecting power of destiny.
One has only to know and trust, and the ageless guardians will appear.
Having responded to his own call, and continuing to follow courageously as the consequences unfold, the hero finds all the forces of the unconscious at his side . ”I feel myself,” said Napoleon at the opening of his Russian campaign, “driven towards an end that I do not know. As soon as I shall have reached it, as soon as I shall become unnecessary.
To the Hero, the ‘Mentor’ is a friend, teacher, guide and role model all in one. Here are some of their key attributes:
• They are entrusted with the care and education of their charge
• They are equipped with the knowledge or expertise to nurture those who face the challenges ahead.
• They give what they know with no expectation of immediate reciprocation or remuneration, beyond striving for the greater good
• Ultimately, in the context of the overarching journey, they come to represent accomplishment, knowledge, skill, and virtue.
Text: Lion King
Young lion Simba, the heir of his father, Mufasa. Simba’s wicked uncle, Scar plots to usurp Mufasa’s throne by luring father and son into a stampede of wildebeests. But Simba escapes, and only Mufasa is killed. Simba returns as an adult to take back his homeland from Scar with the help of his friends Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa.
Simba crosses the threshold with his guide ‘Rafiki’.
Movie: Hunger Games
Haymitch, a previous victor of the hunger games becomes Katniss’ mentor. He gives her practical advice on how to survive during the games. He also acts as a friend and gives her hope that she will withstand the games.
Haymitch is an unconventional guide (alcoholic). Guides come in all sorts of shapes and sizes — good and bad.
Crossing the threshold — moving into the unconscious
It’s time for the biggest part of the journey to begin. This is when the hero leaves behind everything familiar and moves into a realm filled with the unknown.
Gateways have power. When we pass through from one phase of life into another, it marks a time of great change, an unfolding into something new. We know what it means to come to a gateway, face the inevitable trials, and, finally, pass through…it happens in all sorts of ways.
There are other gateways we go through of our own accord — those gateways we work and plan toward, like graduations, marriages and starting a family. These are thresholds we build ourselves that are of great importance, and will stick in the mind because the results are truly life-changing. One moment you’re single, then you arrive at a church, make your vows, get a ring! You’re married! Yesterday you were a student, tomorrow, you’re officially a teacher, or a chemist, or an economist.
Text: King Arthur
Arthur learns about his royal lineage after he pulls the Excalibur, a magical sword, from a stone. Along with Sir Bedivere, he sets out to destroy King Vortigern, who had killed his father.
When the crown is placed on Arthur’s head, he then begins to cross the threshold.
Movie: Avatar
A paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.
Jake crosses into the special world/unconscious when he decides to enter the capsule and enters the body of the avatar.
Zulfiqar Awan
