Sangay Glass's Blog - Posts Tagged "journey"

"I'm not your hero. I'll be the guy in your shadow when you become the hero of your own story." Blue Jeans to Kate when she calls him her hero.

For Blue Jeans, everything is all about Kate. He may not know it, but he is the second hero of the novel Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot. Kate is the first, but she is also unaware of her bravery and true power.

So what is the hero's journey, and why don't heroes realize their status?

The hero's journey, is a concept defined by Joseph Campbell (my idol), as a universal myth that charts an individual's path from their awakening to their emergence as a hero. Its structure is the base for countless stories, including the one we're about to explore in Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot.

There are three steps to the journey:

First, the Call and Departure

This is when the hero is called to action. It could be a tragedy that has befallen their community or a personal issue, such as revenge for the death of a loved one. They know something must change but are still unsure how to begin. This uncertainty of being at a crossroads is something we've all experienced.

Every Disney story begins with the call, often in the form of the "I want" song. This is where the character expresses their desires and sets the stage for their journey. In the case of Kate and Blue Jeans, their desires for change and a fresh start mirror this classic storytelling trope.

Kate and Blue Jeans realize they are each stuck in a place that does not enable them to thrive or be authentic to themselves. They want a fresh start.

So, they leave their comfort zones to journey into the unknown together to find happiness. This is known as the departure.

The Initiation

Here, the hero learns to navigate strange new territory. They acquire knowledge and skills that will help them along the journey. Sometimes, they have a mentor, or they may have epiphanies. Sometimes, these skills are innate, but the hero is unaware they possess them.

If you've seen Frozen a million times, like I did, you know that Elsa left her home, let go, and learned to control and expand her powers. Initiation is simply empowerment.

Kate lost herself in marriage. Through her initiation, she reconnects with the person she used to be. On the other hand, Blue Jeans was denied a 'normal' life, which stunted his maturity. His initiation teaches him the skills to help him emerge as a man.

These transformations or evolution of character are at the heart of the hero's journey.

The Return

This is when the hero returns to familiar or stable ground. Here, they share and incorporate what they have learned into daily life. They give back, but it doesn't even need to be in a grand way.

Scarlet O'Hara is my favorite example of a female MC returning home. Even though the story ends with her only stating she will return to Tara, she realizes where her strength lies and that she possesses the resources to continue her life despite the traumatic past.

The same is true for Kate. She comes out knowing who she is and will never lose that woman again, under any circumstance. Meanwhile, the easygoing "golden retriever type" Blue Jeans has come to understand that his role as a man is to be supportive but not led blindly. But his selfless nature still allows him to stand back and let his greatest love step forward to shine.

I encourage everyone to read or watch Joseph Campbell's The Power of the Myth Not only will you begin reading and writing differently, but you'll also be compelled to explore your personal heroism.

Don't forget, there is still a Goodreads Giveaway for KBJSS. Join the race and follow me for updates. I'm running a second tee shirt giveaway for the first 5 reviews.

Kate, Blue Jeans, and a Single Shot

The Power of Myth