The Voyage and Return plot is a form of allegory that uses symbolism to explore deeper ideas. The protagonist is taken out of their familiar environment, which challenges their sense of reality and their identity. The story is a journey from ignorance to enlightenment, and it usually poses significant philosophical questions about human perception. This type of storytelling is characterised by a dreamlike quality, as the protagonist’s adventures are often disorienting and surreal.
The Protagonist's Vulnerability
The protagonist and central characters in a Voyage and Return plot are often in a state of unawareness at the start, making them vulnerable to a life-altering event. They may be inexperienced or seeking new experiences, leading them to embark on a journey that challenges their understanding of reality.
Entering a Strange New World and The Struggle to Adjust
This entry into a new world is often sudden, dramatic, and jarring. The protagonist’s familiar reality begins to dissolve into something unfamiliar and strange, making them feel trapped and disconnected from the world they once knew. They must navigate the unknown and decipher the new reality they have stumbled into. In this way, the protagonist and central characters venture into an unfamiliar world, which is shockingly abnormal and different from their ordinary reality. This new world expands their perspectives, but they struggle to adjust and feel a sense of disconnection. At first, the strange and perplexing surroundings can be exhilarating, but the protagonist and central characters remain detached and never fully feel at home. The experience is dreamlike and adds to their journey of self-discovery.
The Exhilaration and Disconnection
The other world never feels fully real to the protagonist and central characters, even though it may pose a threat to their survival. The initially exhilarating experience becomes frustrating and oppressive, as a growing sense of danger begins to loom. The protagonist becomes trapped and threatened, facing a crisis that seems impossible to overcome. But in the end, they undergo a transformative reversal through a thrilling escape, breaking free from their constricted reality.
Overcoming Inner Struggles
The protagonist and central characters return to their familiar world, where they began. Through this journey, they gain a deeper understanding of the world and a complete change in their outlook on life. They start out as selfish, disregarding the world outside themselves; however, through the adventure, they gain insight and undergo a transformation from egocentricity to enlightenment. Initially, they are presented as far from virtuous, but the journey leads to their eyes being opened and a change of heart where they shift from darkness to light. The true victory for the protagonist and the other central characters is not over external darkness but rather over the internal darkness within themselves.
The Protagonist's Enlightened Future
A Voyage and Return story typically has a completely happy ending in which the protagonist and central characters return to their familiar world transformed. They have discovered new versions of themselves by discovering a deeper aspect of their personalities and seeing the light. The story suggests that this transformation is enough to guarantee a happy future. Relationships with a love interest can play a significant role in the experience of the other world; however, if formed, they are often left behind when the protagonist returns to reality.
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