English - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... Dave Eggers’ non-fiction Zeitoun and Mark Sundeen’s The Man Who Quit Money narrate two modern heroes and their tribulations. Zeitoun and Suelo fit Campbell’s thesis about the role of the hero-figure in mythologies as they left their original societies to answer calls to adventures, and to later engage with a road of trials, and the refusal to return, but they are also different from mythical heroes because they never returned to their original societies, but remained free and happy in their new lives, where their communities are better off because of their contributions to it. The first phase of Campbell’s thesis consists of the departure from the original communities, which Zeitoun and Suelo did. Zeitoun departed from Syria to find his luck in America. They lived a life of poverty in Syria, although their large family eventually became successful through the accomplishments of individual family and clan members. Zeitoun is proud that he has a family of doctors, generals, teachers, and many other professions (Eggers 12). The sea bonded all of them together as a family too. Suelo also left his community, but not in the real sense. What he leaves behind is the capitalist system that disgusted him because of its production of poverty and social inequality. This means that Suelo’s departure is more moral and spiritual than physical in nature when compared to Zeitoun’s departure. Zeitoun physically left Syria, while Suelo is still in America. These modern heroes responded to the call of adventure, though they refused the call for some time. Zeitoun did not immediately go to the U.S., while Suelo studied college and managed to live in a capitalist world for some time. Campbell talks about supernatural aid, which did not happen for Zeitoun and Suelo. Instead, environmental changes and personal motives inspired them to leave. When they crossed the first threshold, they proverbially passed the belly of the whale. For Zeitoun, the belly of the whale is his first few months in America, in a land where he knows little English and only has his character and faith to help him survive. Suelo transitioned from capitalism to non-capitalism, when he quitted money (Sundeen 1). By leaving his remaining $30 in a phone booth, he has begun his journey. Hence, using Campbell’s first phase, it seems that the journey of these modern heroes followed the first part of the first stage and the rest are more proverbial than physically experienced. Campbell’s second phase consisted of the initiation and the trials, which Zeitoun and Suelo experienced. When they first entered the belly of the whale, these heroes realized that they can do it. They can survive in their new worlds, however difficult it may be. Nonetheless, like mythological heroes, they had their share of trials. Zeitoun had to establish his business and met some obstacles because of his rainbow logo. The logo attracted homosexual customers, while upsetting conservative ones. He and Kathy decided to keep the rainbow because in Islam, rainbows mean hope and faith (Eggers 12). Their greatest hurdle is Hurricane Katrina. It destroyed their business and properties. Kathy and her kids already evacuated but Zeitoun insisted on being left behind. During this time, he used his canoe and helped neighbors and animals trapped in their houses. He could have been easily killed by the disaster, but his resolve to help others allowed him continue ...Download file to see next pagesRead More