Crossing of the Return Threshold

Disciplines > Storytelling > Campbell's 'Hero's Journey' > Crossing of the Return Threshold

Description | Discussion | See also

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Description

At last, the hero returns to home turf, where they are safe from further pursuit or woes.

Crossing of the threshold may not be an easy task as one last challenge may face the hero. This may range from one last fight with a foe thought vanquished.

Example

In Star Wars, Luke confronts Darth Vader again.

In Lord of the Rings, as the hobbits re-enter the shire, they have to defeat Saruman and his henchmen.

Sherlock Holmes wandered the world after defeating Moriarty. Only after finding himself again did he return.

Discussion

Crossing the return threshold is as important as crossing the First Threshold. The first threshold was a symbolic death from the home life. This final transition is a symbolic rebirth back into the 'real world'.

For the audience it is a final relief after the trials and tribulations of the adventure. The final threshold creates closure of the story started in crossing of the first threshold.