In Sharon M. Draper’s novel, Forged by Fire, Gerald copes with a life of abuse. His only means of escape lies in the helping hands of Mr. Washington, the father of Gerald’s friend, Rob. Mr. Washington must journey into the land of the unknown to help Gerald escape his harmful life. The Hero With a Thousand Faces, exemplified by mythologist Joseph Campbell, reveals the Heroic Cycle. In this book, Dr. Campbell depicts the cycle through: departure, fulfillment, and return; multiple trials effectively help Mr. Washington to complete the Heroic Cycle.

    Dr. Campbell describes departure as having three parts: the call to adventure, crossing the threshold, and the belly of the whale. The call to adventure chronicles a cry of help that the hero must offer their attention to (Campbell 76). Mr. Washington exclaims to Gerald during a conversation, “ ‘You were right to tell me, Gerald. I’m glad you trusted me’ “ (Draper 76). Knowing that Gerald’s life and that of his sister’s, Angel, are at stake, Mr. Washington expediently accepts the call to adventure. Crossing the threshold presents the hero with “…the darkness beyond them, the unknown, and danger” (Campbell 77). Without knowing what lies ahead on his adventure, Robbie’s dad crosses the barrier that separates his life and Gerald’s, intertwining them for eternity. Dr. Campbell asserts that the hero knows nothing of his journey ahead; however, he must make a decision to proceed through the threshold based solely upon his willingness to help others, as does Mr. Washington. Joseph Campbell later delineates the belly of the whale: “The hero, instead of conquering or conciliating the power of the threshold, is swallowed into the unknown, and would appear to have died” (Campbell 90). The body of the whale illustrates the place in which the hero gains confidence and exits with newfound mental strength. In the case of Mr. Washington, he assists Gerald to remove Jordan from their home: “ ‘Jordan Sparks—you are under arrest’ “ (Draper 77). Rob’s father has the intuition to assess Gerald’s home life and determine the best solution. Through this test, Mr. Washington proves that he has the capability to become a savior and a hero. Although he gained confidence, Mr. Washington still has ahead of him a road of trials: the fulfillment of his journey.

    Presented to Mr. Washington, many trials test his confidence and knowledge on the path to fulfillment. He always possesses a clever way to gain information that helps him tend to any situation. Fulfillment includes the two basic principals of supernatural helpers and the road of trials, which can be broken into assisting other people and personal feats. Dr. Campbell characterizes supernatural helpers as beings who administer aid, either verbally or physically, to the hero (97). Mr. Washington utilizes authority figures to remove Jordan from the home: “ ‘We’re going to the police’ “ (Draper 75). By using the police, Rob’s father successfully makes use of the available aid. After the police arrest Jordan, lawyers and the court help to keep him in custody, where he no longer can harm Gerald and Angel. Dr. Campbell states, “once having traversed the threshold, the hero moves in a dream landscape of curiously fluid, ambiguous forms, where he must survive a succession of trials” (97). One of the first trials that confront Mr. Washington reveals his warm heart. He continually offers support and a safe place for Gerald and his sister to stay: “ ‘Why don’t you and Angel come over this weekend. It’s been a while’ “ (Draper 123). Instinct tells Robbie’s father the only hope for Gerald and his family is an occasional safe haven, which he unequivocally provides. As a person with human emotions, Mr. Washington must overcome a personal trial: the death of his son, who died as a result of drunk driving. Thoughts of Gerald ease Rob’s father’s pain. He knows he must deal with death, yet at the same time continue to be strong for those in need: “ ‘He would want [you to have had that basketball]…’ “ (Draper 139). Mr. Washington could have been selfish in that he keeps Robbie’s basketball, but instead offers it to Gerald. This demonstrates his gift to put others first; he helps his son’s friend understand death. At the completion of the road of trials, Mr. Washington emerges with new experience, but still must return from his heroic voyage.

    The return of the hero completes the Heroic Cycle; Mr. Washington returns with newfound experience and valuable wisdom. Return, according to Joseph Campbell, contains three main aspects: refusal of the return call, crossing the return threshold, and the bringing of knowledge or wisdom. Mr. Washington refuses to hear his call to return home; he feels the necessity to continue watch over Gerald and Angel. Eventually, the realization of his homecoming is conceived. Dr. Campbell presents the crossing of the return threshold as being a majestic return home (217). Mr. Washington’s return occurred after his son’s death: “Rob’s father finally wept. Mrs. Washington and Kiara took him into the house then” (Draper 139). Marked by an outpour of emotion, this hero returns to the arms of his family after a long journey that furnished help to those in need. As he crosses the threshold, he leaves behind a world where abuse is commonplace and enters a familiar surrounding. The bringing of knowledge represents a notebook that the hero writes in everyday of their journey. Mr. Washington’s book easily filled during the time he aided Gerald. Pages of his book include the enlightenment of the occurrence of abuse and how to help a friend in rough waters. His voyage ends here, but his acquired knowledge will live on forever.

    Mr. Washington comes full circle on the Heroic Cycle. His journey into the unknown (helping Gerald and Angel escape abuse) chronicles not only his ability to protect, but also his determination to survive tragedy. He entered Gerald’s life unforced, wishing to help a boy in need. Newfound wisdom and knowledge stay with him as he exits the road of trials. Mr. Washington’s actions engrave in stone the true definition of a hero.
 
 
 

Works Cited
 

1) Campbell, Joseph. The Hero With a Thousand Faces. Princeton: Princeton University
Press,1990.

2) Draper, Sharon M. Forged by Fire. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1997.