Ethan Persaud - Separation, Initiation, and Return

An idea from Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with A Thousand Faces that stayed with me throughout this semester is the structure of separation, initiation, and return. At first, I viewed this as just a literary pattern that English teachers made us use to analyze the events in myth and stories. However, the more we discussed it in class, the more I realized how much it reflects real life experiences as well. Separation is the moment where the hero is forced to leave what is familiar, and honestly that might be the hardest part of any journey. There is a fear that comes with stepping into uncertainty because comfort is often tied to our identity. For me, one of the most underrated fears is the fear of the unknown, and I think that is something I definitely have a lot of. It’s hard to be brave and confront something when you don’t know what to expect or how to react. In Boy Scouts, the motto we are taught relentlessly is “Be Prepared”. This is a mindset that I grew up with that has stuck with me throughout my life so far. However, it becomes difficult to maintain that when you are entering the unknown. How am I supposed to be prepared for something when I don’t even know what to expect? I think that aspect, at least for me, makes it one of the most challenging parts of the hero’s journey. Initiation then becomes the stage of development. This is where you learn, struggle, and grow. Once again, this mirrors the challenges that people face daily. For example, adjusting to a new job can be extremely difficult. You are getting adjusted to a new set of skills, people, and overall environment. However, as you adapt to the circumstances, this is how you reach the return. The journey is not complete until the hero comes back changed and is able to bring back something valuable with them. Whether this is an item, knowledge, or experience, it applies to real human experience as well. Going through the journey of college leaves you with the value of the education you received. We gain knowledge for ourselves, but also to return to our communities as capable individuals who are ready to tackle the world. I found it interesting to take these stages that we get from myths and stories and apply them to myself and reality.

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