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The Hero's Journey - The Refusal of the Call (Lecture II) (Patreon)

Published:
2021-07-23 16:53:14
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

You heard the call to adventure in the first lecture.

Now it's time to refuse the call.

That's right. Rejecting the call, or having others reject the call on your behalf, is one of the most important parts of the hero's journey.

We'll see why by examining some popular modern myths, like The Lord of the Rings, and some older legends, like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

We're also talking about Freudian slips, the psychological concept of flow, tribal initiation rituals, and how to tell where your dragon is lurking.

Video Timestamps:

  • 0:00 why is the refusal of the call so important?
  • 2:00 why those close to you may refuse on your behalf
  • 3:00 signs you are refusing your call
  • 5:00 The Lord of the Rings
  • 11:00 how to find your dragon
  • 15:00 the power of story (Cervantes & Dostoyevsky)
  • 16:40 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  • 21:00 the quest of becoming a writer
  • 22:00 self-actualisation and flow
  • 23:00 Freudian slips, blunders, and heralds
  • 23:40 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 
  • 25:00 Dante's Inferno
  • 27:30 the Knights of the Round Table and Siddharta
  • 28:30 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
  • 33:00 the meaning of chivalry 
  • 35:00 what does your name mean to you?
  • 37:00 tribal initiation rituals 
  • 40:00 let us now answer the call

Do you know any other instances in literature and life that demonstrates the refusal of the call?

Happy questing!

Files

Previews only

The Hero's Journey - The Refusal of the Call (Lecture II)

0:00 why is the refusal of the call so important? 2:00 why those close to you may refuse on your behalf 3:00 signs you are refusing your call 5:00 The Lord of the Rings 11:00 how to find your dragon 15:00 the power of story (Cervantes & Dostoyevsky) 16:40 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 21:00 the quest of becoming a writer 22:00 self-actualisation and flow 23:00 Freudian slips, blunders, and heralds 23:40 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 25:00 Dante's Inferno 27:30 the Knights of the Round Table and Siddharta 28:30 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 33:00 the meaning of chivalry 35:00 what does your name mean to you? 37:00 tribal initiation rituals 40:00 let us now answer the call

Comments

Caroline P

What a brilliant video this was. It has given me much pause for thought. In the end, after a lot of thought, I felt pretty good about my life having watched this. I have faced lots of moments where I could have not taken up challenges but haven’t turned away from things presented to me. The first time, many years ago.. I remember looking out of a window and saying…’do xxxx , or this reality, right now, will be your life forever…’ it was a scary moment indeed and I had to say it to myself a few times that morning before I took the step needed to set me off on a new adventure. And since then I have lived my life that way. Facing challenges and doing the harder thing has always, without exception been the best option in the end. I have to say I think the braveness comes from ignoring those who do not understand you for for your choices.. I am not an intrepid explorer or activist for the greater good or any of those really brave things, but in my own small way I have battled forth to Mordor with the ring. Anyway, this was an excellent and thought provoking video. Thank you. As always a lot of work went into this video and it is appreciated.

hardcoreliterature
>>64445357

Thank you, Caroline! That's really wonderful and life-affirming to hear. And what a chilling memory - I have had a few of those moments myself. Those moments when you can take yourself out of your body and look on a more long-term perspective. In a relatively recent difficult moment, I've said something very similar. Taking that long-term view helped guide some difficult actions. Dealing with difficulty head on may be painful in the short term, but you're right that it's always ultimately the best option!

Alice

This Hero’s Journey lecture series is amazing! This refusal of the call video especially was very important to me and has triggered some deep, helpful exploration, thoughts, and journaling. I am both astounded and not at all surprised at how important our “public dreams” are to my own life. I am in a season where this lecture is extremely meaningful to me - maybe I’m starting to see hints of spring after a long, dull, dark winter. Sometimes talking about or even thinking about my greatest dreams or vocation, I feel like Sonya when (spoiler?) Raskolnikov badgers her into reading the raising of Lazarus and she doesn’t want to share with him her most dear and closely held secrets and motivation. I also greatly appreciated the inclusion of Lord of the Rings and you have sent me down a rabbit hole of reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and learning about Middle English! Do you have any resources you recommend about Middle English or the evolution of the English language?

hardcoreliterature
>>64692099

Thank you, Alice. I'm so happy you're enjoying it, and that this one managed to trigger some thoughts. I wonder if there is a collective feeling of a new spring after a long winter on the horizon? It definitely seems like the public mood has shifted a little. I love that comparison with Sonya :) Regarding Middle English resources and the English language, I actually have an avalanche of information. I'll do a show-and-tell with some books on the upcoming Q&A. There are tons of fun different directions you could go down - everything from medieval dream poetry and morality plays to Breton lays and, of course, Chaucer! If you enjoy Gawain, the same poet is said to have composed the heartbreaking 'Pearl'. I'll talk more in the video :)