journeys are learning experiences
Question: “Journeys are always learning experiences”
Journeys are defined as the act of travelling from one place or state to another, they can either be physical, imaginative or inner. Through the study of various texts, audiences are exposed to a number of journeys. They teach us that there is always knowledge to gain from a journey. The individual embarking on the journey encounters many challenges and is open to new experiences, which allow them to learn and achieve a better sense of self. Ursula Le Guin’s novel, A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea), as well as Rain Man, a 1988 film directed by Barry Levinson, explores this idea about journeys being educating experiences. They both include protagonists who undertake a journey and along the way gather a greater knowledge of themselves and the world.
The idea that journeys allow a personal growth and a greater discovery of self is evident in Earthsea. Ged, the protagonist, undergoes a major transformation from an excessively proud and arrogant boy to one who learns caution and humility. During the first half of the story Ged is seen to be “loud and proud and full of temper” and very much driven by pride. Pride is a central theme in the novel and this technique allows audiences to witness Ged’s coming of age. Ged’s mentor, Ogion, warns him numerous times to be less arrogant, though Ged does not heed this advice. Ged’s pride is his downfall when he accidentally releases the shadow when he wants to prove his power. This failure robbed Ged of his pride and confidence. It was not until Ged experienced these failures that his pride is wounded and he learns to accept Ogion’s ways. This acceptance leads him to achieve a better understanding of himself. He learns that to reach full maturity he must confront the shadow and accept that it is a part of him – “And he began to see the truth, that Ged had neither lost nor won but, naming the shadow of his death with his own name, had made himself whole: a man: who, knowing
Journeys are defined as the act of travelling from one place or state to another, they can either be physical, imaginative or inner. Through the study of various texts, audiences are exposed to a number of journeys. They teach us that there is always knowledge to gain from a journey. The individual embarking on the journey encounters many challenges and is open to new experiences, which allow them to learn and achieve a better sense of self. Ursula Le Guin’s novel, A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea), as well as Rain Man, a 1988 film directed by Barry Levinson, explores this idea about journeys being educating experiences. They both include protagonists who undertake a journey and along the way gather a greater knowledge of themselves and the world.
The idea that journeys allow a personal growth and a greater discovery of self is evident in Earthsea. Ged, the protagonist, undergoes a major transformation from an excessively proud and arrogant boy to one who learns caution and humility. During the first half of the story Ged is seen to be “loud and proud and full of temper” and very much driven by pride. Pride is a central theme in the novel and this technique allows audiences to witness Ged’s coming of age. Ged’s mentor, Ogion, warns him numerous times to be less arrogant, though Ged does not heed this advice. Ged’s pride is his downfall when he accidentally releases the shadow when he wants to prove his power. This failure robbed Ged of his pride and confidence. It was not until Ged experienced these failures that his pride is wounded and he learns to accept Ogion’s ways. This acceptance leads him to achieve a better understanding of himself. He learns that to reach full maturity he must confront the shadow and accept that it is a part of him – “And he began to see the truth, that Ged had neither lost nor won but, naming the shadow of his death with his own name, had made himself whole: a man: who, knowing