Every Novel Is the Story of a Characters Journey Essay Example
Every Novel Is the Story of a Characters Journey Essay Example

Every Novel Is the Story of a Characters Journey Essay Example

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The main character's journey towards self-knowledge is an essential aspect of a well-written novel. This journey encompasses physical and internal elements, contributing to the creation of believable characters and captivating books. Notable examples include Cinderella, 'The Spook's Apprentice', and 'Tomorrow, when the War began'.

Cinderella's internal journey follows a typical pattern as she moves from an unpleasant situation to a much better one. At the same time, the story explores her quest for self-discovery. In her early years, Cinderella suffered the loss of her mother and later witnessed her father marrying a widow with two daughters. Unfortunately, her father died shortly after, leaving her in the care of her stepmother.

During her youth, Cinderella faced unappreciation and underestimation from her step-family, leading to feelings of sadness, loneliness, and worthlessness. How

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ever, as the story unfolds, she realizes her true beauty and wins the heart of the prince. This newfound love and acceptance symbolize her internal change. It is crucial to acknowledge that protagonists in stories or books are not flawless or contented. These flaws actually enhance the complexity and brilliance of the narrative.

In 'The Spook's Apprentice', Tom Ward embarks on an internal journey of self-discovery. Unlike Cinderella, Tom's quest is not focused on finding happiness but rather gaining a deeper understanding of himself. Initially, Tom is a satisfied 13-year-old farm boy who happens to possess the unique trait of being the seventh son of a seventh son, qualifying him as the potential apprentice to the nearby Spook.

Upon being apprenticed to the Spook, the protagonist initially questions his competence in performing the job, as it requires confronting entities from the dark such as witches,

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ghosts, and boggarts. He lacks the bravery to confront these intimidating creatures and also dislikes the solitary nature of being a spook. However, as Tom encounters evil witches throughout the story, he successfully conquers them, which augments his courage. In addition, he experiences reduced loneliness as he befriends Alice, a young witch who possesses both good and bad qualities.

Towards the end of the book, Tom faces and conquers different threatening creatures, which helps him realize his true purpose as a spook. Along his journey, he progressively becomes more self-assured in his skills. Conversely, in books such as 'Tomorrow, when the War began,' the main character's life can abruptly worsen, leaving them feeling considerably more disadvantaged. In this specific book, Ellie's internal journey deteriorates over time; however, she perseveres on a path towards discovering herself.

After a camping trip in the bush, Ellie and her seven companions find out that their homeland has been taken over by invaders. To survive, they have to live in the bush and constantly battle for their lives. This situation causes Ellie to transform from accepting her circumstances to relying on her primal instincts. The need to kill others deeply affects her, making her develop a stronger personality to face the challenges.

The internal journey portrayed in this book is not typical, as characters usually become better rather than worse off. Every book includes a journey of self-discovery as well as a physical journey for the characters. In both novels and short stories, characters gain insights about themselves and are either improved or harmed by them. Readers find it easier to connect with characters who confront internal issues, as they

can relate to their own problems. Just as every individual undergoes an inner journey, so should every character.

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