Mentors are the wisdom-carriers in stories. They infect the protagonist or major character with knowledge and information needed to complete their quest.
Mentors encourage the heroine or hero to believe, and have faith in her or his ability to meet the challenge standing before them. On a psycho-spiritual level mentors represent the Imago Dei, the god-image that all humans carry.
Through interaction with the Mentor, the protagonist awakens to her or his own divinity, that part of god that resides in us, the Soul of all souls that connects us to the Divine and every other human being.
This role of redemption that the mentor plays is very important particularly since the quest of the protagonist often holds importance around not only her or his survival, but that of those she or he loves, and who love and respect the protagonist.
Dumbledore serves as a mentor to the orphaned Harry Potter. Often the best protagonists feel like motherless, or fatherless children.
Even if their parents are yet alive, part of the healing required is that of adequate parenting, nurturing and acceptance, love for who they are despite their flaws and fears.
Mentors provide this, but at a price. The protagonist must believe in her or himself.
Mentors also provide and transfer discipline and a respect for discipline, as with “Wax on. Wax off,” Mr. Miyagi’s (Pat Morita) mantra to Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) in “The Karate Kid“.
While often thought of as elderly, and holding great sagacity, mentors can also present as young. In the movie “Uptown Girls,” Dakota Fanning’s 8-year-old character, Ray Schleine teaches her nanny, Molly Gunn, played by Brittany Murphy, how to grow up and take responsibility.”
Ray’s statement, (paraphrased) “Fundamentals is key to having fun,” stand in line with “Wax on. Wax off.” Accepting the responsibility of adulthood then gives Molly’s character the strength to teach Ray how to play, something Ray has never done.
How is writing like play?
What are the disciplines of writing that you find most important to experiencing the joy of writing and crafting stories?
Who has mentored you in writing? How were they helpful?
Leave a Reply