Despite being one of the oldest tropes in speculative fiction, the Quest often finds itself a part of modern literature. Based on W. A. Senior’s description of Quest Fantasy, evidence for the trope can be found in Karen McBride’s 2019 novel, Crow Winter. In McBride’s novel, the protagonist, Hazel Ellis, returns to her hometown of Spirit Bear Point First Nation to find that she has caught the attention of a shapeshifting demigod, Nanabush. Throughout the story, Hazel, with Nanabush’s aid, uncovers her hometown’s past to prevent Thomas Gagnon’s mining operation and save the Spirit World. Many characteristics of the Quest can be found in McBride’s narrative. These characteristics are found in the protagonist, Hazel Ellis; the events surrounding
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At the beginning of Senior’s description of quest fantasy, he states, “The protagonist, generally an average person with hidden abilities, receives a call to action and reluctantly embarks on the first adventure” (Senior 190). At the novel's beginning, Hazel returns to her hometown of Spirit Bear Point First Nation after completing her English degree to start her life after university. Hazel lives with her mom, Nora Ellis, who is described as being “who people envision when they think of Native women” (13). Overall, besides her father’s death, Hazel is a regular university graduate living with her normal mother, with no mention of any special abilities up to this point in her life. However, this all changes when Nanabush visits her in a dream (29-32). After speaking with Nanabush about her dream, Hazel states, “Give me a vision quest or leave me alone,” with Nanabush replying with “You’re not ready for that” (31). This direct mention of a quest is crucial because, although Nanabush states she is not ready, it serves as a call to action and a gateway to the first adventure, with Hazel acknowledging that she “need[s] to return to it”
At the beginning of Senior’s description of quest fantasy, he states, “The protagonist, generally an average person with hidden abilities, receives a call to action and reluctantly embarks on the first adventure” (Senior 190). At the novel's beginning, Hazel returns to her hometown of Spirit Bear Point First Nation after completing her English degree to start her life after university. Hazel lives with her mom, Nora Ellis, who is described as being “who people envision when they think of Native women” (13). Overall, besides her father’s death, Hazel is a regular university graduate living with her normal mother, with no mention of any special abilities up to this point in her life. However, this all changes when Nanabush visits her in a dream (29-32). After speaking with Nanabush about her dream, Hazel states, “Give me a vision quest or leave me alone,” with Nanabush replying with “You’re not ready for that” (31). This direct mention of a quest is crucial because, although Nanabush states she is not ready, it serves as a call to action and a gateway to the first adventure, with Hazel acknowledging that she “need[s] to return to it”