Francis Macomber, the protagonist of Ernest Hemingway’s short story “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” is a typical example of the hero’s journey described by Joseph Campbell. The hero’s journey is a narrative pattern where an ordinary person embarks on a quest and undergoes various trials before ultimately achieving success or self-realization. It can be seen in numerous stories across cultures and time periods, from Gilgamesh to Star Wars.
After reading, watching, and studying the Canvas module resources, write A word essay supporting the claim, Francis Macomber goes on the hero’s journey.
At the beginning of the story, Francis is stuck in an unhappy marriage and appears to lack any sense of purpose or control over his life. He begins his journey when he heads out on an African safari with his wife Margaret and their guide Robert Wilson. During this physical voyage, which serves as both a literal escape from home as well as an inner exploration for Francis, he encounters many challenges throughout which he must prove himself.
One such challenge is his attempt at hunting buffalo; after freezing up during his first shot at it due to fear, Francis musters up courage to take another shot and succeeds in killing it. His success symbolizes overcoming fear and gaining confidence in himself; going forward with the journey requires him to continuously face personal obstacles head-on with bravery despite whatever doubts may arise within him. Even more dramaticly symbolic is when Francis chooses to stay back while Margaret runs away during her own hunt – thereby proving that he has achieved emotional maturity by understanding that Margaret needs help even if it means putting aside his own egoistic desires for glory and recognition.
Throughout these moments – from facing danger bravely to making moral choices – we see how Francis evolves from a timid individual into one who has found strength within himself through trial and error experiences outside of comfort zone . By finally taking charge of his life rather than relying solely on others (namely Margaret) for direction or validation , Francis completes what could be considered the archetypal hero’s journey ; he discovers true happiness not through external approval but through uncovering what lies within:personal courage , inner peace ,and emotional growth .