Rescue From Without

Disciplines > Storytelling > Campbell's 'Hero's Journey' > Rescue From Without

Description | Discussion | See also

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Description

The hero is rescued from a final plight from an unexpected source.

The rescuer may be someone who had previously abandoned the hero or even someone the hero does not know. In mythic stories, this intervention may come from a god.

Example

In Star Wars, Han Solo returns to help Luke fight the Tie Fighters. In Return of the Jedi, Luke needs the redeemed Vader to destroy the Emperor.

In Lord of the Rings, Frodo is unable to destroy the ring by himself, needing Gollum's unwitting help to complete the deed. Soon after, Frodo and Sam are rescued by the eagles.

Discussion

Even heroes are fallible and this need for rescue re-affirms that they are still like us in some way, hence strengthening the bond with them, pulling the willing audience into a now-proven heroic figure.

Rescue is a repeating pattern in many lives, where we are reminded of childhood comfort of the all-powerful parent who is always there to save us.