Hero's Journey Part II

To get a job, any job that paid you enough to eat and have a roof over your head, this was "all" a man was looking for during the 1930s Depression. His needs seemed desperate to obtain, his wants seemingly without virtue. The Depression at that time had tilted life out of balance and it caused fear in men they'd never expected nor experienced. To be refused meant the same thing for many people. Thus when one was refused a job or opportunity there was a rally among others in the same situation.

Part II of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey (see June 14 Blog to connect to part I) is the Refusal of the Call. In the story Hard Luck the emotions of everyone are riding on an exterior refusal, in other words the refusal for citizens of the U.S. to get what they need was predominant. When fourteen year old Jake Adams knows things are changing because of his response to other people he's around, he refuses the call to allow these changes to take place. Eddie McIntyre is quick to keep Jake in his place, limiting his esteem, and Jake allows this. Cora White is a girl Jake is interested in, but does she know it? And the boss, (and there are many) challenges Jake at every turn and Jake questions his ability rather than rises up to it.

All along, the sentiment of the time is also heaving downward onto Jake. He will need help now to let the changes that need to happen occur. But who will Jake turn to? Part III Supernatural Aid...