Vladimir Putin and the hero's journey

As I write this, all eyes are trained on Russia and the war in the Ukraine. Putin has sent his far superior army in on three fronts and his air force dominates the skies. It is a worrying time, especially for Europe. Will he stop there, or will he seek to reclaim all the previous Russian states? NATO can only bluster and wag their finger, terrified that the despot may reach for that red button and unleash nuclear war.

After two years of Covid that has already had such a negative impact on the world, this seems to be the final straw. Already, mental health issues are rising fast, our children are fearful and our elderly and vulnerable feel fragile. These events are beyond us. We have no influence over them. It’s all too big.

We need fantasy stories.

Not just because they are an escape from the realities of this world, taking us to amazing lands with fantastical creatures, but because of the things they can teach us.

At the beginning of every fantasy journey, we meet our hero. Except, they are not really a hero–they are just a small hobbit in a hole in the ground, a young boy living on a farm, a slave girl or a child hiding in a wardrobe. They are usually poor, weak, powerless, and overlooked. Ordinary, just like you and me. Fantasy stories tell us that anyone can be a hero, and I love seeing examples of everyday heroism in the world around me. A man offering free taxi rides to refugees arriving in Poland. The housewife buying extra food in her already stretched budget to give to food banks in the UK or collections heading into Europe. The Ukrainian women giving a captured Russian soldier a hot cup of tea and calling his mother to let her know he is safe.

Of course, in the story, the hero usually has to face overwhelming odds in order to fulfil their destiny. There are mountains to climb and gorges to cross. They often end up going without food, warmth, shelter and a hot bath for long stretches. Bandits, enemy armies or foul creatures might attack them summoned from the depths of Hades. Being a hero isn’t easy. Through it all, however, they learn lessons about friendship, trust, love, and generosity. They understand that failure isn’t the end, but they can pick themselves up and try again. They understand their faults and learn to change and grow.

Life’s journey can be hard. We may have moments in Rivendell where we can rest and recuperate, but then we have to carry on. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is battling something. It may be tangible like unemployment, poverty, persecution or ill-health. Some battles are hidden. Depression and anxiety, constant pain, domestic violence, grief, or hopelessness. Remember that when people seem distant or even hostile. Rather than reacting badly, pause for a moment and choose a different path. Give them a smile. Hold the door open for them. Say “thank-you” at the supermarket till. Give a word of encouragement to the mother who is at the end of her tether. Be kind. You might be the only person to notice them that day. You might be their Rivendell, even if it is just for a moment in time.

At the end of a fantasy story, our hero meets his nemesis, the villain, the evil one who must be destroyed. It would be easy to cast Putin and Russia in that role, and certainly, the media and our governments want us to feel that way. Unfortunately, the villain isn’t always like Sauron, a creature of pure evil. They are often conflicted, or exhibit qualities to be admired. Let’s face it, Hitler enjoyed architecture and art, and adored animals. I’m sure Putin has many positive characteristics, and not all Russians are behind him. The demonstrations taking place in all the major cities bear testament to that. More heroes raising their voices under threat of imprisonment. We need to be careful about who we see as the enemy in our story.

Putin is not Sauron. However, he is Saruman, someone who has believed the lies of the enemy and decided to act on them. And yes, he must be stopped. But even as we will the Ukrainian army to prevail and applaud ordinary citizens taking up arms to defend their homes and families, let’s not lose sight of the real enemy. As the Bible puts it, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12)

Finally, the most important thing about every good fantasy story is that evil is defeated and good prevails. The hero wins the day. The world is saved, and we can all live happily ever after. Who wouldn’t love a story like that? If children are brought up on a good diet of fantasy storytelling, they instinctively learn that the best is yet to come, and they live with hope, not despair.

Fantasy stories reflect the values and truths of our own world. The season of Lent started last week. Traditionally, it is a time of sacrifice and self-reflection, when Christians confess their failings and resolve to live a better life. We also look forward to the reality of Easter when we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. He showed us who the real enemy is. He defeated death and Satan on the cross and made it possible for us to escape from the chains that once held us prisoner. This life, with all its pain and heartache is not the end of the story. It may look dire at the moment, but there is more left to be told.

Frodo fell at the last hurdle. The power of the ring gripped him, and it looked as if all was lost. Then Gollum, the unlikeliest of hero’s, wrestled the ring away from Frodo, falling into the fires of Mount Doom in the process, unwittingly saving all of Middle Earth. Remember that when you look around and think all is lost. There is still hope.

I don’t know what is going to happen in Russia or the Ukraine. Things may very well get a lot worse. But one thing I know for certain. The final book in the series has already been written, and I, for one, am eagerly waiting for its publication.