What does it take for someone to be a hero? There is a set of rules that is known as the monomyth, or also referred to as the hero’s journey. The novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson follows the story of a young boy named Jim Hawkins who embarks on an adventure to find a buried treasure. Throughout the story he learns to become independent and survive on his own while on a ship filled with strangers. Some key aspects of the hero’s journey are that they involve a call to adventure, tests, elixirs and more. Treasure Island is a prime example of a story that follows the monomyth, as it contains all of the aspects that the monomyth portrays.
The “Call to Adventure” is the part in the hero’s journey where the hero receives their first
…show more content…
sign or notion to leave their ordinary world and start their journey.
Treasure Island has a very clear call to adventure near the start of the story in which Jim Hawkins uncovers his signal to cross the threshold. During the prologue of this novel, Jim and his mother finds a new customer visiting their inn. He was a retired pirate who carried a chest with him, he knew he was near death so he gave Jim the key to it. Inside the chest, Jim found a map to a place called Treasure Island where there was supposedly hidden loot. “Mother could there be treasure here? I mean it is a map to Treasure Island” (Stevenson 42). That is when Jim decided to step out of his ordinary world and accept the call to adventure. It was a decision that took courage and bravery, two characteristics that he maintains throughout the rest of the story. This part of the novel clearly shows the call to adventure that Jim Hawkins …show more content…
receives. “Captain Billy entrusted this chest to me, I’m the only one who knows about the map and I should be the one who fulfills his journey” (44). The call to adventure presents Jim Hawkins with a journey to an island called Treasure Island where he goes in order to dig up hidden treasure buried a long time ago. On this journey he learns to be independent and is able to accomplish the supreme ordeal and overcome the tests he had to face with no helpers or aid. Jim Hawkins is the character who receives this call to adventure and goes on the main journey which is what leads to the conclusion that he is not only a hero, but is the hero of the story. Taking that into consideration, this brings us to the next argument.
Another part of the hero’s journey is known as “Tests”, these are challenges that the main character must overcome throughout his/her journey. One of the biggest tests that Jim Hawkins endured was dealing with Captain Long John’s betrayal, he and his shipmates engaged in war on the ship as well as the island and he could have been killed at any moment. “The ship shot another cannon, this one barely missed Jim as he struggled to climb the hill” (156). Another test he had to overcome was his fear of leaving his ordinary world, but throughout the story he was able to become independent and handle tasks on his own, which is something he had trouble doing during the start. “I made a promise that I would be the one to bring this treasure home to my mother, and I’m not going to let someone like Long John stop me even if I have to fight him myself” (107). Therefore, the fact that Jim is able to pass these tests proves that he is indeed a hero. He is the one who sets out on his own to sabotage Long John’s plans while they are at the island and succeeds, he is the reason the supreme ordeal is
accomplished. Lastly, the final argument and piece of the hero’s journey is the elixir. The elixir is a new found characteristic or treasure that the hero has learned/acquired after their journey. Jim Hawkins may have literally brought back a treasure, but that does not make him a hero. The elixir that Jim has acquired is newfound knowledge and confidence. He is able to accomplish tasks independently and is not afraid of the real world. During the start of the story, Jim was always shy. He would hide behind his mother and never stand up for himself. “Billy barged into the inn demanding a bottle of rum, Jim ran away in fear” (31). However, after returning from his journey, he has made new friends and acquired new traits including bravery and leadership skills. The elixir is something only the hero is able to return to the ordinary world with, and Jim is the one who has acquired it. All of these parts in the hero’s journey apply to Jim Hawkins, he is a hero. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, someone does not have to be physically fit in order to become a hero. It could be something even as small as overcoming mental tests, like Jim Hawkins was able to do. He was able to escape his ordinary world and embark on a journey on his own, he was given tests which he passed, and returned home with an elixir. That is what makes him a hero.
A hero puts other people before themselves and is admired for their qualities, courage, and achievements. A hero obtains knowledge throughout their journey of helping and healing. From Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huckleberry begins his journey with his first dilemma to save a slave, Jim. Huckleberry Finn begins to transform into a courageous hero when he learns the value of a human being.
Before one can be considered a true hero, they must complete a series of eleven steps that put them up to the test. More simply, they must start with departure, then initiation, and finally return home. Harry Potter in Harry Potter the Sorcerer's Stone, courageously completes all of these steps and is therefore considered a hero. He strong-willingly embarks on a journey that challenges his limits and tests his bravery. Without any support from his family, and being the despised child, he defeats his enemy, Voldemort. To push through the worst challenges, and starting from nothing is what makes a true hero. As Joseph Campbell stated, “You enter the forest at the darkest point, where there is no path. Where there is a way or path, it is someone
The Hero’s Journey is an ancient archetype that we find throughout our modern life and also, in the world of literature.Whether metaphorical or real, the journey that a character goes on shows not only the incredible transformation of the hero but it also gives them their life meaning. It is the ultimate human experience and it reflects on every aspect of life. Take Logan, also known as Wolverine, from the X-Men movie as an example. His adventure starts with “The Call,” which is the first step of the Hero’s Journey. This step happens due to the realization of imbalance and injustice that the character has in their life. Logan steps into the first stage of the pattern but is hesitant to start his adventure because he does not know what and
While the journey’s main aim is quiet obvious, it is possible to argue that there are implicit and explicit goals behind this journey. Explicitly, the idea of pursuing a journey to an exotic island to find a pirate’s treasure is undoubtedly appealing. Indeed, as a child, it offered Jim a chance to escape the inn’s confinements and his mother’s authority. Nevertheless, there are many implicit goals behind this journey. Firstly, it was intended to help him acquire knowledge and experience through nature. Secondly, it aimed to make him realize his own capacities and capabilities. Thirdly, Christopher Parks (2009) argues that the journey’s fundamental aim was to make Hawkins’ fit for his future role in the service of the Empire. Fourthly, it provided him a chance to aid his mother’s as well as his own financial condition. And finally, according to Diana Loxley (2009), imperialism and colonial exploration are what lurks behind the quest for the treasure. Certainly, the characters in the novel are all engaged in an intoxicated pursuit after the treasure in order to transfer it to the Empire, gain their own share, improve their lives and rise up in ranks. Furthermore, Treasure Island has also been regarded as a psychological journey from childhood to adulthood, motivated by the search for a father (Maybin, Haslam & Watson, 2009). However, Hawkins’ voyage concluded with a number of outcomes that changed his life
According to Bonnie Tyler, a hero is a man that needs to be strong and fast, straight out of battle, and have a legendary persona about them. Traditionally in mythology, heroes are characterized by their strength, physical prowess, intelligence, cunningness, and success on the battlefield. In addition, most heroes go on some type of quest or adventure, often accompanied by a trusty sidekick to rein them in. The hero’s journey archetype is often divided into three parts: the beginning setup and departure, a period of adaptation and conflict, and the resolution where the hero returns home victorious (Bronzite). Upon this journey the hero will be forced into action, undergo many tribulations, and
There are many stories that follow Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, and tells the tale of a Heroic character. These fables introduces us to heroes that begin their journey in an ordinary place, then receive a call to enter an unknown world full of bizarre powers and peculiar events. These heroes often display great traits, such as bravery or intelligence, that defines their character. One of these heroic's tales is Haroun and the Sea of Stories, telling the adventures of a young man named Haroun. This essay will prove that Haroun from Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie is a hero, because he possess heroic qualities. Haroun shows his heroic qualities by overcoming obstacles, helping his friends, and having good intentions.
Even still the unknown beckons forth and the uncertainty of life provides a larger, more enthralling sense of mystery within the Quest journey, and the unsureness every Hero must face creates life-changing decisions and the adornation of peril to path of the Hero sparks the growth in the Hero’s self. Whether it be celestial Thunder speaking of peace beyond understanding, a crazed fortune teller speaking of death, suspicious eyes watching over the, “dead lands” (Eliot, “The Hollow Men” 39) , or a renegade angel choosing to, “Better reign in Hell than serve in Heaven” (Eliot, Paradise Lost 263), no decision is ever made for the hero. The all encompassing Butterfly Effect revels within the decisions of the Hero, yet Fate always seems to throw
Heroes are found everywhere in the world. They are seen in movies, on television, in books, and in reality. A hero can be anyone, from a friend to a fictional character. To be considered a hero, one must make selfless sacrifices, develop and learn, overcome challenges and temptations, and ultimately present their known world with a gift of any kind. Homer’s
Joseph Campbell describes the hero's journey as taking place in a cycle that consists of three most important phases, which are the following: Departure, which is where the hero leaves his/her comfortable and familiar world and endeavors into the unknown; Initiation, where the hero is tried with a series of tests, which he/she must prove their character; and Return, where the hero brings the benefit of his quest bac...
Joseph Campbell defines a hero as “someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself ” (Moyers 1). The Hero’s Journey consists of three major parts: the separation, the initiation and the return. Throughout a character’s journey, they must complete a physical or spiritual deed. A physical deed involves performing a daunting and courageous act that preserves the well-being of another person. A spiritual deed calls for action that improves another individual’s state of mind. While fulfilling their journey, a hero must undergo a psychological change that involves experiencing a transformation from immaturity into independence and sophistication.Campbell states that these events are what ultimately guides a hero into completing
One of the many ways Jim Hawkins tries to find the treasure is leaving his crew members to explore the island and try to find the treasure on his own. “I was so pleased at having given the slip to Long John, that I began to enjoy myself and look around me with some interest on the strange land that I was in.” (pg 59). Leaving Long John and the rest of his crew has made his journey easier and more relaxing. “I now felt for the first time the joy of exploration.”(pg 59). When faced with danger he was going to call help for from Long John his crew but his fear of Long John and his hunger to try to find the treasure allows him to stick with his plan. “I was within an ace of calling for help. But the mere fact that ...
There were many heroes in the literature that has been read. Many have been courageous and showed their character through tough times. Through these tough times they were forced to make important decisions and this is where you get the real idea of who is deserved to be called a hero. The most influential though of all these was Huckleberry Finn. Through the innocence of childhood he is able to break through the societal pressures that are brought on him and do right.
All children and teenagers will discover character traits and qualities that they want to possess from the adults they come into contact with. Jim Hawkins is no different. He uses the attributes he learns from Ben Gunn, Dr. Livesey, and John Silver to help mold him into the man he is becoming. Works Cited Stevenson, Robert. A. A. Treasure Island. City: Publisher, Year of Pub.
Joseph Campbell calls the initial phase of a hero’s development the “Call to Adventure.” The call is the in...
Throughout the novel, Jim internally aspires toward the significant and frequently occurring image, courage. From the very beginning he sees "himself saving people from sinking ships . . . an example of devotion to duty, and as unflinching as a hero in a book" (3).