The Path of Trials
Now out in the big, wide world, the hero is exposed to many forms of hardship, and must endure suffering: personal attacks from 'friend' and foe alike; physical, emotional, and/or spiritual ordeals; betrayals and losses. This is the Path of Trials, and it cannot, should not be done alone. In order to persevere, learn, and not despair or give up, the virtue of Friendship is essential. It is Friendship that enables the hero to carry on, to discover new skills and gifts, to establish new alliances, and to keep hope alive.
In The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo leans on his comrades, Sam, Gandalf, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, as he treks toward Mordor. In The Hunger Games, Katniss loves, loses, and fights on with the help of Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Effie, and Cinna. In Divergent, 'Tris' loses her mother and father but learns to lean on her new family. And in The Deathly Hallows, Harry faces Voldemort and death accompanied by
his clan---both living and dead.
In The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo leans on his comrades, Sam, Gandalf, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, as he treks toward Mordor. In The Hunger Games, Katniss loves, loses, and fights on with the help of Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Effie, and Cinna. In Divergent, 'Tris' loses her mother and father but learns to lean on her new family. And in The Deathly Hallows, Harry faces Voldemort and death accompanied by
his clan---both living and dead.