Brigham’s Comments (group member since Sep 03, 2011)

Brigham’s comments from the 2012 - Ms. Richardson L.A. group.

The first step of the hero’s path is the mundane world. The mundane world is when the character feels uncomfortable or unsatisfied in their current environment. A great example of the mundane world is when Odysseus is trapped on Calypso’s island. Odysseus is not satisfied with Calypso and her island even though it is practically paradise. He wants to go home.

The second step of the hero’s path is the call to adventure. The call to adventure happens when the hero is called to action or has to step in and help. While Odysseus is stuck on Calypso’s island Zeus sends Hermes to set Odysseus free. Odysseus is finally able to begin his journey back to his family and home. As a hero Odysseus has to decide whether or not he will stay in the comfort of Calypso’s island or take the call to adventure and return home. Odysseus values his home and his family so he wants to leave Calypso’s island. This shows readers that we can be heroes by acting on our values. In this case Calypso represents comfort. In the real world readers become too comfortable in one state and don’t want to get out of it, but that’s how they will be able to follow the thread of the hero’s path.

The third step of the hero’s path is crossing the threshold. Crossing the threshold is when the character begins a journey as well as physically crossing into a new world. There are many different times in the Odyssey that suggest Odysseus’s crossing the threshold. Odysseus crosses the threshold for the first time when he sails the raft he and Calypso created out to sea. To be a hero we as readers must leave our mundane world behind to begin our journey. We have to venture out or take a chance.

The fourth step of the hero’s path is the path of trials. This step includes new enemies, new knowledge, and new mentors that will either help or destroy the hero. One of the biggest enemies Odysseus make is the Cyclops. Odysseus wants to learn more about the creature so he enters his home which makes the Cyclops mad and immediately creates hatred between the two characters. The adventure with the Cyclops represents trials we think are too big for us to handle, such as addiction. To become a hero you must be able to overcome challenges and avoid things that could jeopardize the purpose of your journey. Odysseus did get caught up in taking advantage of the Cyclops by eating his food but when he was trapped he realized he needed to get out of the situation. The warning in this story is to watch your hubris.

The fifth and final step is the master of two worlds. This step means the hero has completed his journey and moves past heroics and back to reality. Odysseus finally finishes his journey when he is reunited with his wife. He has finally finished his journey and is ready to accept reality once more. This shows us as readers that the completion of our journey will result in the highest reward.

“We have not to even risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us. The labyrinth is thoroughly known.” The first and second lines of Joseph Campbell’s quote tells readers that the challenges that people face in life today are the same as the heroes and gods that went through trials in ancient myths. Humans have used Myths to relate to their lives because they are so similar in many ways.

“We have only to follow the thread of the hero path.” To become the best of our ability this tells of the importance of following in someone’s footsteps, in this case a hero. People can use the “thread” or mentality of a hero to help them through life as a guide to help achieve your goal.

“And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god.” This part of the quote really helps readers understand that they can grow from their problems that from their abominations they will be rewarded.

“And where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves.” Many people in the world judge others far too often. This quote shows that the people that are judged by others today might be the ones who save the world. It shows that everyone has a purpose to fulfill and no one judge the life of another.

“Where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence.” Expressing ourselves is important in life and that’s what the quote is referring to that everyone tries to be like others when it pays to be unique.

“And where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world.” when it seems that no one is on your side your wrong someone is out there with the exact same feelings as you. Everyone has gone through the same thing you have. That is what Joseph Campbell is trying to get readers to realize.

Joseph Campbells complex quote is very agreeable to me. The standards he sets in this quote are ones that can help anyone through their troubled life or quest. Campbell beatifully Incorporates the stories and emotions of mythological characters and how very similar there personalities are like the typical human, of our day.

A Tale of Two Cities is most definitely relevant to a modern audience. You might not expect this super old book to have any relationship with our imperfect world today, but it goes to show how similar society is today. In the book, A Tale of Two Cities the setting changes from France to England throughout the book, “There were a king with a large jaw, and a queen with a fair face on the throne of England; there were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a fair face on the throne of France. In both countries it was clearer than crystal to the lords of the State preserves of loaves and fishes, that things in general were settled forever” (pg 1). This quote goes to show that wealthy people had unlimited resources, whereas the poor had to do much more grueling work than the wealthy. This is still seen in society today, for example in china, millions of children and families suffer from starvation. Yet, the wealthy people have almost unlimited resources and the poor have to get by on what they have.
The modern reader sees revolutions and civil war throughout the world today, just like Therese Defarge and the rest of France. This applies to modern relevance because many people today are revolting and protesting against the powerful and wealthy governments of their countries. For example, the people in Syria are fighting to get rid of their hostile government. People are fighting against the government with rebellion armies and people on the street. These people would not stand down for anything. Just like the Defarges and the rest of France stopped at nothing to bring down France and their wealthy rulers, “Tell the wind and Fire where to stop, but don’t tell me!”(pg 264)
Though much has changed since the 1700s the thoughts and actions of people remain the same today.

Rather than being a keeper of morality Katniss Everdeen does not worry about breaking the rules of Panem. A keeper of morality would follow and keep the laws of their country or city.

Katniss defies the typical female archetype because she hunts illegally. This is an example of not being a keeper of morality which noramal girls usually are. throughout the book Katniss also shows this characteristic when she goes to the Hob to trade her kills to recieve needed thing for her family which is extremely illegal in Panem.

Katniss is not physically vulnerable. this is another example of how Katniss defies the typical female archetype. To be physically vulnerable means that you would avoid any physical alteractions, or does not pose a threat to anyone. Most girls usually are physically vulnerable, however Katniss is not. For example in the games she has to be stong and defend herself many girls today might not be able to comprehend the fact that they have to kill. Also she is feared in the games, she actually poses a threat to people shes fighting.

Archetypes are patterns or themes that recur in different texts across an extended period of time. In class we discussed the male, female, hero, and villan archetypes while reading the Hunger Games by Susan Collins.

One specific archetype that Susan Collins really focused on was how Katniss portrayed the characteristic of a provider. she showed that Katniss could defy the common male archetype of being a provider for thier families. One example of this is when she hunts for her mother and sister every morinig so they don't starve. Another great example of this is in the games when she goes hunting so she can feed peeta and help him recover.

As the book goes on Katniss realizes that to win the Hunger Games she must start to accept typical female archetypes. Katniss has been living her life doing things that males often do to protect and provide for their families. And now she has to shift just a little to help herself out in the games. For example in training facility she wears dresses to dinner and the interviews. Normal males don't wear dresses so this is a good example of katniss accepting the female archetype of wearing dresses and it helps Katniss in the games tremendously.

In conclusion throughout the book Katniss definatley portrays the typical male archetype more than the female one. Regardless the fact that she is a girl.

In the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" Rainsford turns out to be the protagonist. Before Rainsford finds the island he is on a ship discussing the hunting world. Rainsford and Whitney get to talking about how an animal feels when it is hunted. "who cares how a jaguar feels?" Rainsford explaind as he talked with Whitney. As Rainsford finds the island he meets with a man by the name of Genral Zaroff. Zaroff poses as a great man that has had many successful hunts. He tells whitney of his passion for hunting and that it is not as exciting as it used to be. He finally reveals his secret on how he hunts lost sailors that wash up on his island. I think that Rainsford thought that Genral Zaroff was going a little to far. And after Genral Zaroff hunts Rainsford I think that he realizes that to be hunted is truly not the best feeling in the world. I think that Rainsford is changed for the better and agrees with Whitney on how the jaguar would feel.

The Scarlet Ibis is a symbol for Doodle because they both are exotic and differet they are like freaks of nature. Doodle was born with a caul on his head and ended up living. It seemed like he wasn't supposed to be born, but it happened anyway. The Scarlet Ibis is a tropical bird for thousands of miles away and ends up on Doodles farm. The Scarlet Ibis wasn't really made to end up in a tree on a random farm, but it happened anyway. They both died, they both struggled to survive and to keep living, and sadly they both died. Many people use symbols in our world today and the Scarlet Ibis is one of the many examples of how we can live a life of hard work do our best even if the outcome is not what we wanted.