Introduction
The hero's journey is a common narrative pattern found across cultures and eras, encapsulating the archetypal adventure of the protagonist on a quest of self-discovery. In the acclaimed fantasy novel The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper, this monomythic structure manifests through the transcendent journey of 11-year-old Will Stanton as he awakens to his destiny to save the world from the forces of the Dark. Through Will's reluctant call to adventure, mentoring from Merriman Lyon, and culminating quest to find the six Signs that will vanquish the Dark, The Dark is Rising epitomizes the hero's journey while also adding unique complexities. In this essay, I will analyze the iterations of Will's journey in relation to the hero's journey stages codified by Joseph Campbell, considering how The Dark is Rising both aligns with and diverges from the archetypal narrative. Examining this novel through the hero's journey lens illuminates how the universal power of mythic storytelling propels this beloved work of fantasy.
Background: The Influence of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth
The concept of the hero's journey originated with mythologist Joseph Campbell, who identified key narrative stages across myths and adventure tales from around the world. As codified in his seminal 1949 work The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell delineated the "monomyth" into three acts - departure, initiation, and return - with stages including the call to adventure, supernatural aid, the abyss, atonement, and more. While criticized for flattening differences across cultures, Campbell's hero's journey continues to deeply influence storytelling, seen in classics from Star Wars to Harry Potter. First published in 1965, The Dark is Rising incorporated mythic elements that predated and likely informed Campbell's structure, such as Will's discovery of his own magical abilities, mentorship from Merriman, and archetypal imagery like Herne the Hunter. Susan Cooper universalizes regional British folklore into a lasting hero's tale that champions the power of light over darkness.
Divergence from Convention: Will Stanton's Reluctant Call to Adventure
While The Dark is Rising follows the overarching hero's journey narrative, various stages in Will Stanton's quest diverge from or subvert Campbell's monomythic structure. For instance, Will refuses the initial call to adventure when Merriman reveals his quest, begging to return to his family instead of embracing his destiny. This reaction contradicts Campbell's model in which the hero readily accepts the call. However, Will's subsequent grappling with his mission better reflects a young boy's psyche realistically wrestling with an immense burden. The novel also subverts the "supernatural aid" stage by making Merriman only intermittently available to mentor Will, though his sporadic counsel still empowers Will's gradual mastery of his own abilities. Through these deviations, The Dark is Rising crafts a hero's journey that rings true emotionally for a young protagonist. The novel engages the mythic tradition in grounding Will's tale in universal themes of good versus evil, while making his human vulnerabilities equally essential.
Alignment with Tradition: Key Heroic Elements in the Quest
While some stages in The Dark is Rising alter the classic hero's journey model, other key elements align closely with Campbell's monomythic narrative to convey the timeless nature of Will's quest. For instance, Will crosses the first threshold when Merriman guides him through a time portal into the past to retrieve the first Sign. This transition between the known and unknown worlds represents the hero embarking into an unfamiliar realm of adventure. Additionally, Will endures Campbell's "road of trials" during tense encounters with the sinister Rider. Through repeatedly outmaneuvering the Rider, Will develops courage and resolve that enable his ultimate success. By integrating these recognizable hero's journey stages, The Dark is Rising links Will's distinctive tribulations to the larger tradition of heroic champions rising to their destinies. Young readers connect with Will's trials while perceiving his quest as part of an eternal struggle between light and darkness.
Counterargument: Applying the Monomyth to The Dark Is Rising
Some may argue against applying Campbell's hero's journey model to analyze The Dark is Rising, since Susan Cooper drew inspiration from regional British lore that predated Campbell. Additionally, Cooper's presentation of Will as a reluctant, vulnerable hero diverges from the daring archetype of the Campbellian monomyth. However, while Campbell did not invent the hero's journey narrative, he identified common stages that resonated across cultures and eras. Analyzing how The Dark is Rising both aligns with and subverts Campbell's structure can reveal deeper insights. Though Will is an unlikely hero who initially refuses his quest, his ultimate triumph channels the essence of the ordinary individual rising to extraordinary deeds. Understanding Will's journey through the monomythic lens illuminates his connections to heroic champions across time and place.
Conclusion
In The Dark is Rising, Susan Cooper transforms the hero's journey from archetypal myth into an intimate fantasy that chronicles the struggles of an ordinary boy rising to legendary feats. As Will Stanton confronts exhilarating wonders and harrowing trials, he ultimately fulfills his destiny to vanquish the Dark and redeem the Light. While incorporating traditional hero's journey stages like the call to adventure, threshold crossing, and climactic ordeal, The Dark is Rising also diverges from narrative conventions through Will's initial refusal and lingering self-doubt. Yet it is precisely Will's human vulnerabilities that render his heroism deeply relatable. Through mythic storytelling, Susan Cooper intensifies the novel's exploration of universal themes of good versus evil, courage in the face of danger, and the emergence of personal power. Understanding Will Stanton's journey through the monomythic lens enriches appreciation of how The Dark is Rising weaves legendary myth into an iconic fantasy hero's tale for the modern age.
