The Journey as a Metaphysical Quest leading to the Creation of a Multiple Identity

INTRODUCTION The following dissertation aims at analysing the role of the journey in literature as a metaphysical quest in human beings. What will be argued is the fact that the journey is not only meant to be a mere earthly travelling experience but also an authentic spiritual discovery of one's real Self; moreover, it will be mooted how this can lead to the creation of a new, eventually multiple identity, which differs from the original one at the moment of departure. Going from the definition of the term, chapter one offers a general overview about the myth of quest in literature with particular focus on the Jungian archetypes as inner images, which guide heroes and heroines throughout their life journeys. In this regard, it is explained which the most successful archetypes are that need to be activated in order to undertake the journey by considering Jean Shinoda Bolen's works Gods in Everyman and Goddesses in Everywoman. In addition, the main stages of The Hero's Journey according to James Campbell will be defined also by taking David Malouf's Traveller's Tale into account to show different possible outcomes of the experience. Chapter two is dedicated to the analysis of two literature works, The Overland Mail By Rudyard Kipling and Remembering Babylon by David Malouf. Respectively, the figure of the runner and the character of Gemmy Fairley will be examined in order to explore the concept of mimicry, ambivalence and hybridity in postcolonial studies. This will inevitably lead to consider the differences between the two figures, their different ways of facing the journey as well as their approach to life and their relationship with the surrounding communities. At last, it will be shown how the two men, despite their different background and having taken different journeys, find themselves in the same dimension, namely an in-between world which is located between the colonisers and the others; this experience has thus resulted in the creation of a new identity for them. On this point, the concepts of in-betweenness, postcolonial uncanny and British object will be discussed. 1