The fourth stage of the
Hero's Journey is the Culmination of the Quest. This may
be the actual ending of something, like a graduation or physical challenge,
but it can as easily be a hard-fought new understanding or awareness.
It is this point where most Western stories, myths, movie plots, etc.,
end. In the West, we are driven to achieve, to win, to finish the
project. However, the journey is not over, for there is a fifth
and critical stage to complete. However, before moving to the final
stage, quite often the traveler once more must cross the Threshold.
Recrossing the Threshold
It is common to face the
Threshold of difficulty again. After achieving whatever was at the
end of the quest, the traveler often must prove worthiness, or prove his
or her belief in what has been won or gained. After successfully
navigating the Threshold a second time, the journey now moves to the final
stage, Return and Contribution.
