13. Reaction: Hero responds to test

Disciplines > Storytelling > Propp's Morphology of the Folk Tale > 13. Reaction: Hero responds to test

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Description

Symbol: E

The hero now responds to test, usually succeeding but sometimes failing and having to take another route. Tests may include taking great personal risks, battling with monsters, solving puzzles and enduring extremes of discomfort.

The hero may realize the need for the challenge and may view it as an irritation that is holding up the main goal. Importantly, they must show the qualities of the hero, facing up difficulties as we all have to face tests in our own lifetimes.

Example

In Star Wars, Luke watches Obi-Wan use the light-saber with awe.

Discussion

How the hero reacts tells us much about their inner character, whether they have the personal strength to achieve the quest or whether they might fail. In passing the test we are given hope that the eventual goal will be achieved, although the difficulty the hero experiences here may also cause us fear as future challenges may well not be as easy.