Reply To: Emma + Baelfire = Swanfire

[Slurpeez]

lunatiger wrote: Strange as it seems the more I read the articles the more I feel optimistic about things. Why? Because it I see it as the typical heroes journey. The hero that has absolutely everything taken away from them and brought so low that the only way to go is climb back up again. That’s Neal’s journey. Just like how Emma started in Season 1. She had nothing but slowly started to climb her way up to her son and finding her parents. Neal is also on his journey towards his son and finding his father. And the last climb for Neal and Emma will be to find their HOME, they’re way back to each other.

Yes, I agree. The illusive dream of home is a major driving force for both Emma and Neal. It’s one of the only “true parallels” that has painstakingly been revealed time and time again. Emma and Neal have lived largely parallel lives meeting at only the briefest of intersections. Yet, their destination is the same and their idea of a happy life is with each other and their son.

So there is this classic literary trope used by the Greeks a lot called the καταβασις (katabasis) which literally means to move down, but in literature is most often descent into the underworld (read more HERE ) Now it’s a classic part of heroic tales (Odysseus, Aeneas) but it could be taken more metaphorically instead of the Greek literal version.

Your degree in classics is really paying off there I see, RG. 🙂 I think you’re right. The tale of overcoming great obstacles is as old as time itself, and before the hero can enjoy the comfort of kith and kin, he must first stare death in the face and win. Learning to be as wise as a serpent, while also being as innocent as a dove, could be the only way to defeat an evil nemesis.

RumplesGirl wrote: In other words, Neal could be super tempted by the dark magic and the less than noble path to get back to Emma and Henry but he resists, fights the urge to take the easy path (which he did once and swore never to do again) and then like in the classic sense, comes back to the light but this time with lots of knowledge (in classic lit pieces that uses this, the hero comes to our world with extra knowledge that help him get home–oh hey. THEME)

Belle is an example of a shrewd heroine who relies not on the sword but on knowledge, while keeping her purity. She has courted the Dark One himself, learned the monster’s secrets, and yet still kept her purity of heart. She’s even used that trust and knowledge to her full advantage by taming a beast, influencing him towards righteousness. She has wit, learning, and KNOWLEDGE on her side. I think like Belle, Neal may learn the secrets of the “enemy” who is this time Zelena. Yet, instead of doing the witch’s bidding, he’ll use his knowledge for good while keeping his wits about him, in an effort to take down Zelena from the inside, like a covert op.