Secret motifs on the Screen: Part 4: Why the Guru dies
55Have you noticed that the hero’s guru or fairy godmother is never there when desperately needed? Why didn’t the Fairy Godmother, with a swish of her wand, reunite the prince with Cinderella? Why does Dumbledore have to die? Why should Obiwan Kenobi? Why, asks the hero, why have you forsaken me, Father?
Who is to blame for the guru’s disappearance? The villain? The writer? No, gentle reader, or movie-goer, it is you! You? One who wouldn’t hurt a fictitious fly? Sorry, yes.
The Secret
- All of us have, deep in our minds, the structure of a good story.
- We look forward to the hero’s adventures and want him or her to win.
- The effect is spoilt if the hero is sidelined and someone else does what the hero must do.
These are the basic premises. To satisfy us, the storyteller gives the hero, and us, a guru: a parental figure who teaches the hero everything about the world of adventure and trains the hero. That world is sort of alien to the hero at first. Hagrid, Dumbledore, Morpheus, Obiwan, Yoda, Gandalf, the Fairy Godmother, Getafix, M, Q…
If you notice, the guru disappears when he is needed most, and leaves the hero to solve his major problem or fight the arch villain. Yes, yes, sometimes the guru fights the villain, like Obiwan fights Darth Vader, but you will see that that is not the major fight in the Star Wars original trilogy. Usually the guru dies, as Dumbledore does, or as Obiwan does, later.
That’s because you would not like it. You would want a good strong hero who battles his own demons himself. Or herself. That’s why, in old movies, the cops come in after the hero has defeated the villain.
The guru’s job is to teach skills like Yoda does, give weapons like Q gives James Bond or Godmom gives Cinderella, explain what’s happening like Morpheus does and pass on, leaving everything in the hero’s capable hands. Now you know why Dumbledore had to pass through the veil?
They killed their gurus for your sake!
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Comments
Good Morning from India, Michelle! :)
Well, that's not my insight; that idea that we are complete only when we stop depending on our parents and gurus is programmed into our psyche.
Thank you for the first comment!
Hi Kenny :) Good Morning back to you and Happy Father's Day. :) You lost me there. Could you expound some more? Am I still sleepy? hehe Thanks.
Thanks, Michelle!
Only meant that one is complete only when one lets go. And that idea is built into our minds. :)
Morning Kenny, or goodnight, as I am getting ready to go to sleep in the a.m. :), the way I understood your message is that fairytales stories are very much like life, we get to deal with our challenges on our own, to learn, grow, evolve, on our own without depending on an outside power.
Aaaahhh okay, got it. Hehehe Too true. I guess that's why I came up with the "Are you My Missing Piece?" hub. Enjoy your day.
Hi Violet! (Hi is safe!)
Yes to your concept, but I only want to bring these story-telling devices to your attention.
I shall take a look at the hub, Michelle! Intriguing, that title! :)
Another great Article Kenny! very interesting and again, many things to think about when I'm enjoying these films and plays ..
My question is, Why do you keep disappearing!? lol...Good to see you back and Happy Fathers Day 2u:)
Apart from the Fairy Godmother, I was beginning to see a pattern with the others and was about to give you a warning Kenny, all of the characters you mentioned have beards lol and i was going to ask you to shave and save your own fate .....jimmy
Hi Compu-smart! Work drags me away! Thanks!
Yes, Jimmy, you stumbled on the truth that I was planning to put in the next hub: gurus are usually bearded, sexless old men! LOL!
Warning taken; I must be very careful! :)
Kenny if you were green, 3 foot tall and had pointy ears I would come stay with you for the summer to learn your wisdom and drink beer.
Pointy ears matter not. Summer to stay welcome you are. Plenty of beer for you there is. :)
haha touche!
Thanks for coming back, Funnebone!
Fabulous insights, as usual. And so true, the hero has to do it on his own!
Thank you, kind Isabella! :)
Thank you, kind Isabella! :)
Never be the Guru...mind your own beeswax, let the ungrateful 'hero' work out his/her own problems...it will be healthier for the Guru in the long run.
Kidding aside Kenny great hub again
regards Zsuzsy
I shall mind my own beeswax, hehe. Honeyed comment from a kind Bee! Thanks!
What a fantastic read!
Your lighter side is showing through in your kind comment, O Darkside, thank you!
kenny you are a prolific writer and a genius of an artist. i am fascinated by the motif series. thank you.
That encourages me to do more, Dayzee! May your tribe flourish!
hi, to all... have a nice day to all..
Interesting stuff.
Thank you Research Analyst! :)
The unanswered question is why is the hero or his girlfriend dumb enough to walk unarmed into the villain's den? And why is the villain dumb enough not to bump them off when he has the chance? I know I'm digressing from your topic, but this question bothers me no end.
He is never unarmed, Ram. He has reasons, the right weapon and his wits. The villain rests on the security that his den gives him. But did you have a particular story in mind?
I appreciate this hub. Thanks for the insight into why the hero has to get it done on his own.
I enjoy your other hubs also.
Thank you, tdarby, delighted!
Back on heroes, are we? :) Great hub.
Great to hear from you after ages,Iðunn!
How have you been?
actually doing really great now. you seem to be doing very nicely. it's going to take me forever to catch up on your Hubs, but I don't wish to miss any of them. :)
Aw I haven't written a hub since Obama won. Have to get back to speed. My hubs will always be there, Iðunn, waiting for you. :)
Are you still taking requests on art? I remember how much you enjoyed decoding the Kandinsky. hehe
Sure, make yours. Will do my best to decode that. :)
I think she's contemporary but could you do:
La Dormeuse - Tamara Lempicka
Sure will do. As long as it's not a nude, I can do it here. LOL
well, take a peek and let me know. I can pick something else if you don't like it. I'm fond of lempicka, so any of that work would do. :)
'the rest' by picasso would be a good alternative also. I love that painting.
Hey hang on! I'm doing the first first. :)
lol! thank you, I actually had no expectations but it's great that you accepted this mission. this mission, should you accomplish it...
will make me very happy. :D
ripplemaker says:
18 months ago
Kenny, you are so right! We are being taught to fight our own battles. We've been guided. We've been taught. But in the end there is only us. :) Great point as always. I enjoyed this hub. :)
--michelle