Quote
“For those who have not refused the call, the first encounter of the hero-journey is with a protective figure (often a little old crone or old man) who provides the adventurer with amulets against the dragon forces he is about to pass” (Campbell, 2004, p. 63).
Context & Explanation
This passage comes from the section titled “Supernatural Aid” in the book’s first chapter, which is called “Departure.” As the name suggests, the chapter covers the first part of the hero’s journey, when the protagonist embarks on a perilous quest. Prior to this section, Campbell (2004) discusses the previous steps in the narrative – namely, the call to adventure and the refusal of said call. In the first step, the hero, still living within the limits of the normal world, receives an incentive to venture beyond and achieve something great. In many cases, the hero answers this call and accepts the adventure, whatever it might be. Sometimes, though, the call is refused, in which case this refusal becomes the second step in the narrative. However, for heroes who do not hesitate to answer the call, the narrative logic requires them to take the next step and commence their perilous route into monsters toward the goal set before them. This is the point when supernatural aid comes into play because, as the quote indicates, it is the first encounter in the hero’s journey.
One may divide the meaning of the quote into three semantic blocks, each of which is equally important in the overall structure of the narrative. To begin with, supernatural aid is necessarily the first encounter of the hero’s journey as it begins, and it takes place before the protagonist encounters the actual trials. It is an important signal that there are obstacles to overcome, and the hero will need external assistance to do that. Secondly, this encounter is essentially benign in nature – the person met by the hero acts as a protective force, and their function as a plot device is to guard and guide the protagonist. Finally, as Campbell (2004) makes clear in the section title, the help in question is supernatural. It may take any form, from Virgin Mary to Puss-in-the-Boots, but even if it is seemingly mundane, like an old crone or an unassuming old man, it still possesses and actively exerts supernatural power. This third part is particularly crucial because it indicates that, by beginning the journey, the hero leaves the ordinary world behind and approaches the domain of monsters and miracles.
This particular quote is undoubtedly the thesis of the entire section, and not merely because it is the sentence with which it begins. First and foremost, it concisely lists all key aspects of the supernatural helper figure that meets the hero soon after the beginning of the journey. As mentioned above, these are its narrative placement immediately after the beginning of the adventure, benign intent, and supernatural affiliation. Moreover, it also emphasizes that the help provided is explicitly meant to help the hero in the perilous trials that lie ahead. By doing so, Campbell (2004) signifies the importance of supernatural aid within the larger frame of the heroic narrative. Thus, this specific passage is definitely a thesis of the “Supernatural Aid” section because it outlines its content and it points to its importance in the grand scheme of things at the same time.
Reference
Campbell, J. (2004). The hero with a thousand faces. Princeton UP.