The Hero's Journey: Narrative Analysis

All narratives refer to an art of storytelling, a sequence that is followed known as the Hero’s Journey. An example of a narrative that exhibits the Hero’s Journey is The Hobbit, a fictional novel written by J.R.R Tolkien, first published in 1937. This is a story about a creature known as a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who goes on an enticing adventure. This essay will elucidate why the sixth stage of the Hero’s Journey, tests, allies and enemies, is the most significant within the narrative. More specifically the tests, as they provide readers evidence of the hero’s character progression allowing them to then become more invested in the story, make connections to indulge in critical thinking and develop a better understanding of morals. Scenarios within the novel that display these aspects are when Bilbo escapes from Gollum, frees the dwarves from the Elvenking’s prison and when he acts on his gut feeling by attempting to bring peace prior to the Battle of Five Armies.
Becoming invested in a story is the …show more content…
Once again, reading about tests and all the risks, helps readers to invest in the story, indulge in critical thinking to make connections and develop an understanding of morals. All these aspects contribute towards giving the reader the most wholesome experience they could take from reading a novel, and really, the true purpose of reading novels and stories is to have some sort of impact on a reader; to impart wonderment. Without the tests to lead them towards devoting to the story, relating, or developing understandings of morals, the goal of providing readers with a fit novel will have failed. Without any sort of lesson, critical thinking or connection being made, what is the reader taking away? There is not more that can be asked of a fulfilling novel, and really, not more that we can