In the narrative structure delineated by Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, the stage of "The Return" is as critical as any other, marking the hero’s journey back to the ordinary world after having faced numerous trials and transformations. This phase is not merely a conclusion but a significant narrative event that encapsulates change, resolution, and often, the ultimate maturation of the protagonist.
The Return is pivotal because it concludes the circle of the journey, allowing the hero to bring back the wisdom, knowledge, or elixir that was gained during the adventure to the ordinary world. This return can be literal, as the hero physically returns to their place of origin, or metaphorical, signifying a return to a state of equilibrium or resolution within the protagonist's life or community. The completion of this arc signifies not just an end to physical and external journeys but also to internal and psychological ones.
The process of returning can manifest in several forms. In some narratives, the return is triumphant and celebrated, with the hero being recognized for their bravery and achievements. In others, the return is challenging, marked by the hero's struggle to reconcile the changes within themselves with an unchanged world or a world that does not recognize or accept their transformation. This variation highlights the complexity of reintegration into society or into old environments with new perspectives or transformations.
The Return holds substantial symbolic value as it represents the hero’s ability to transform personal growth into societal contribution. It illustrates the idea that personal enlightenment or success is only as valuable as its applicability to the world from which the hero originated. This stage often addresses themes of sacrifice, service, and the distribution of wisdom, suggesting that the hero’s journey was never just for personal gain but for a broader purpose.
For example, in modern literature, such as Thomas Pynchon’s Gravity’s Rainbow, the return is complex and layered with ambiguity, reflecting the often disorienting experience of re-entering a society that seems oblivious to the profound personal transformations the protagonist has undergone. Here, the return challenges both the hero and the society, questioning the value and reception of the knowledge gained during the hero’s quest.
Alternatively, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series presents a more traditional return, with Harry coming back to his ordinary world, armed with deep knowledge and the power to affect change in his community. Each return at the end of the school year marks a cycle of departure and return that frames each book, culminating in the final return home, where he brings safety and new norms to both the wizard and ordinary worlds.
The Return also invites the audience to reflect on the hero’s journey and its impact on their character and identity. It often prompts questions about identity, belonging, and purpose, providing a narrative space to explore the integration of the ‘old’ self with the ‘new’ self. This reflective phase is crucial for both the hero and the audience, as it underscores the narrative’s thematic concerns and the hero’s personal development.
In crafting The Return, writers have the opportunity to underscore their themes and character arcs profoundly. It provides a narrative resolution and fulfillment, but it also opens up questions about continuity and change, offering a complex view of human experience and growth. It is here that the audience sees the full transformation of the protagonist, not just in terms of their heroic qualities but in their humanity.
The Return in the Hero’s Journey not only serves as a culmination of the protagonist's transformation but also significantly impacts the secondary characters and the broader narrative environment. These characters, who may have been instrumental in the hero’s departure or journey, are often transformed by the hero's return, which can catalyze changes within them and the society they inhabit.
Secondary characters are crucial in reflecting and responding to the changes in the hero. They can serve as benchmarks of the hero's growth by providing contrasting perspectives or by undergoing their transformations prompted by the hero's influence. For instance, a sidekick or a mentor who witnessed the hero’s growth firsthand might have evolved in parallel, or in contrast, providing a multi-dimensional view of the change. This interaction enriches the narrative, offering a more layered and communal sense of development rather than isolating the transformation within the hero alone.
Moreover, the hero’s return often necessitates adjustments within the relational dynamics they left behind. Family members, friends, and rivals must now interact with a changed individual who brings new ideas, attitudes, or powers that challenge the status quo. This reintroduction can lead to conflict or harmony, depending on how these secondary characters perceive the change. Such dynamics are illustrated in works like Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed, where the protagonist's return challenges both his perceptions and those of his community, affecting everyone's understanding of their society.
Furthermore, the hero’s return can act as a catalyst for broader societal change. The knowledge or elixir the hero brings back can revolutionize cultural or social structures, prompting secondary characters to adapt or resist. This can lead to a ripple effect, where the impact of the hero’s journey extends beyond their personal story to influence a larger narrative arc encompassing their community or even their entire world.
In narratives where the return is less about triumph and more about integration, secondary characters often embody the challenges of assimilation that the hero faces. They might resist the change the hero represents or struggle to understand the wisdom or power they bring back. This resistance can be a significant plot driver, illustrating the difficulties of change and the inertia of traditional views or fears.
Additionally, the impact on secondary characters highlights the interconnectedness of individual and communal narratives. It shows that the hero’s journey, while centered on personal development, is interdependent with the journeys of those they are connected to. This interconnectedness underscores the narrative’s themes of unity, responsibility, and communal growth.
Thus, the Return phase of the Hero’s Journey offers a rich ground for exploring not just the protagonist's transformation but also the broader implications of that growth. It allows for a nuanced exploration of how individual change impacts relationships and communities, providing depth and complexity to the narrative landscape. This exploration makes the story resonate with a sense of shared human experience, reflecting the collective nature of personal and societal development.
In conclusion, The Return in the Hero’s Journey is essential for completing the narrative arc with a sense of closure and integration. It allows the hero to demonstrate how their journey has altered them and what they bring back to their community. It challenges the hero and the audience to reconcile the past with the present, the extraordinary with the ordinary, and the individual with the community. As such, it is a powerful narrative tool that extends the journey’s impact beyond the personal, into the realms of the universal.
