From the ancient past to present times, The Hero with a Thousand Faces is an investigation of the power of myth and narrative, encompassing every human civilization on the planet. By creating stories, all humans establish an understanding of the society they dwell in and wrestle with the reality of existence. The book assembles a variety of not-too-difficult instances, allowing the original meaning to emerge on its own. However, one must master the language of symbols, and the superior modern tool for unlocking this enigma is psychoanalysis. This essay aims to provide an analysis and reaction to a quote from the book that states, “Jesus the guide, the way, the vision, and the companion of the return” (Campbell, p. 196).
Before the quote, the author narrates the Transfiguration story from the Gospel according to Mark. Jesus takes James, Peter, and John to the top of a mountain where Christ’s face transforms and shines like the sun while the clothing is as white as light. Moses and Elias appeared unto Jesus, and the three indulged in deep conversation. A bright cloud appeared, and a voice was heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am pleased: hear ye him” (Campbell, p. 195). The disciples were surprised, and Peter told Jesus that it was a pleasure for them to be present and requested they be allowed to construct three tabernacles for Christ, Moses, and Elias. The disciples were full of fear and fell on their faces. Peter, James, and John saw no other man apart from Jesus in the vicinity upon lifting their heads. While they traveled down the mountain, Christ told the disciples not to say to any person what they witnessed until the resurrection of the Son of man from death.
Our Guide and Ultimate Leader is Jesus and he is not the typical average leader. Christ did not come to conquer in force and authority the initial time He came to earth, even though it was possible. Jesus arrived as a servant, determined to accomplish the Father’s desire, live a faultless life, and perish on the cross to bear the penalty for the sins of humankind. Christians must know and acknowledge Jesus Christ to have a relationship with God because the only way to the father is through the son. Jesus is the vision of all individuals, enabling one to see the evil of living in sin. The vision Christ gives allows Christians to understand the effect of sin, and the holy book’s teachings guide them back to righteousness. Christ is the companion of the return since when sinners repent, Jesus receives them and walks them through their new path of life.
Heroes are frequently depicted in mythology as being able to journey between the transcendental immortal universe and the omnipresent mortal world. As an illustration of Jesus’ revelation of the mystical experience to mortal creatures, Campbell recounts the biblical Transfiguration tale from Mark’s Gospel. “Here is the full narrative in a moment: Jesus the guide, the route, the vision, and the companion of the return,” writes the author (Campbell, p. 196). The quote is the text’s thesis because it summarizes and encompasses all the points from the Transfiguration story. Furthermore, the quote shows the character of a hero in the text, who is Jesus.
The followers are his apprentices, not experts of the secret themselves, but they have been exposed to the whole experience of the contradiction of two worlds in one. Some individuals may be unable to understand since they are trapped in the everyday physical reality, but others will receive the summons and join the adventure. The endless moments are only a glimpse of the higher spiritual universe that emerges from death.
Reference
Campbell, J. (2010). The hero with a thousand faces. Fontana Press.