Summary:

Stage nine is the next step in the hero's journey. In this stage the heros experiences the consequences of surviving death and they get to lay claim to their reward. After having survived death the hero usually engages in some type of celebration . This allows the hero to replenish strength needed for the return to the upper world. Many times following this celebration is a campfire scene which is an opportunity for the hero to tell jokes and boast. It's also a time for the hero to recall the events or people who influenced him or speak about the unwritten code by which runs his life. For the audience this campfire scene allows the audience to catch our breath after and exciting battle or ordeal. The aftermath of the supreme ordeal may also be an opportunity for a love scene because according to Vougler the hero doesn't deserve to be loved until she has sacrificed something and become worthy of love. Seizing the sword is when the hero aggressively takes possession of whatever was being sought in the special world. The prize is not always given and sometimes it must be taken this is called, "elixer theft". Heros may find that overcoming death gives them new powers or better perceptions. Heros may also see things more clearly, experience self realization or an epiphany. Not all stories follow this pattern. Sometimes following the near death experience the hero may experience some distortion in perception. This could be due to an inflation of the ego.

Few heros elect to stay in the new special world and most take the road back returning to the starting point of their journey or continuing to a totally new destination. The road back marks a time when the heros rededicate themselves to the adventure. The hero may also find that villains may rise up and need to be defeated once more. In some cases the heros leave the new world in a chase seen fleeing for their lives. In fairy tales this scene often involves a magical transformation of objects know as a magical flight. Another way a hero can leave this special world is if they are being chased by admirers or they are chasing after a villain who has escaped into the ordinary world. 

Reaction:

    When I was reading about the flight back to the ordinary world and how in fairy takes many times it involves a transformation of objects known as a magical fight, I immediately thought of the movie cinderella. When the clock strikes 12 she must leave the ball or the special world. As she is fleeing to return to her ordinary world, her clothes and magical wagon are all being magically transformed back into the ordinary objects they started as. I also noticed that she has to return to her ordinary world before her journey is over. In the end she doesn't end up staying in her ordinary world as a salve to her stepmom, she is whisked off to live with the prince and start a new life.

Q's:

Vougler states, "what the hero throws down in the chase to the ordinary world may represent a sacrifice or something of value." When we experience new things in our own lives and come back changed do we sacrifice old things that were important to us in order to make this change?

Do you think that sometimes this sacrifice involves leaving people behind who once were important to us, but may inhibit us from further growth?

Vougler also talks about a reversal of the hero's good fortune during the road back.  

Do you think that sometimes the road back is the hardest part of the journey?