Lesson 4

Return

The hero must return home with the new knowledge (boon) he has gained. The Return also has six stages, since the path home is not always so simple.

Refusal of the Return

The hero may be hesitant to return home, just as the hero may have been hesitant to begin the journey. After discovering a completely new world, it can be hard to return to a more mundane world.

Magic Flight

The boon is commonly stolen, so the hero must escape with it. This stage of the journey typically involves transformation. The hero transforms objects to help him escape or transforms himself in an attempt to hide from his pursuers.

Rescue from Without

The hero does not have to escape by himself. Throughout his journey, he had many helpers. The hero now has rescuers, especially if he has been wounded or weakened.

Crossing of the Return Threshold

While the hero is physically able to cross the return threshold, he still must determine what to do with the knowledge he gained from the other world. He may want to share it with members of his world, but that does not mean the people will be able to understand.

Master of Two Worlds

At this point, the hero is comfortable in both worlds. It can be a balance between the material and spiritual world or the inner and outer world.

Freedom to Live

Since the hero has become a master and overcome death, he has gained the freedom to live. The hero can live in the moment, without worrying about the past or the future.

In Harry's story, I do not see a refusal of the return. If you think otherwise, just let me know.

Now that Harry has possession of the Philosopher's Stone, Lord Voldemort demands Quirrell to attack Harry. However, Quirrell is unable to touch Harry without burning his hands. This is the magic flight stage, with the sacrifice of Lily Potter protecting Harry.

Harry wakes up in the hospital wing, signifying he has experienced rescue from without. Dumbledore tells Harry he "arrived just in time" to pull Quirrell off of Harry.

After telling Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid what happened, it is already time for the end-of-the-year feast. Harry and his friends are recognized for their role in thwarting the Dark Lord from obtaining the Philosopher's Stone, helping Gryffindor win the House Cup. Harry also receives passing marks in all his classes. Soon, it is time to board the Hogwarts Express and go back to Platform 9 and 3/4, where Harry is crossing the return threshold to the Muggle world.

Since Harry knows more about his parents and the Wizarding world, he has become the master of two worlds. He will be able to survive in the Muggle world (at least for a few months) with the knowledge of his true Wizarding heritage. Harry has the freedom to live (even the chance to tease Dudley), at least until something else comes along.