Road Of Trials In Huckleberry Finn

Following the Departure stage, the six step Initiation stage begins with the road of trials, or the test stage. This step is often the most lengthy, as it is the hero’s entire journey. The road of trials consists of all the obstacles and events that the hero experienced and overcame to develop necessary characteristics to become a true hero (Bray). These events, similar to the belly of the whale, all aid in the transformation of the hero, as each event teaches the hero a valuable lesson. Joseph Campbell, in an interview with Bill D Moyers, emphasized the importance of the road of trials by describing its importance in changing the hero. Campbell told Moyers, “You have to be transformed from a maiden to a mother. That’s a big change, involving many dangers” (Campbell and Moyers 154). Through this, Campbell is describing how in order for the protagonists to completely transform into a true hero, they must face many different challenges, all which contribute to the overall transformation. The number of challenges in the road of trials can vary greatly between works. In the case of Huckleberry Finn, his road of trials consisted of four major events. One of the events along his journey was when he aided the King and Duke in their scams at the Royal Nonesuch theater. By helping in the massive con acts and scamming performed by the King and Duke, Huck learned what might become of him if he continued with his current lifestyle of being a con man. This lesson helped Huck become a