The female hero's journey in Molly Gloss's 'Wild Life,' Margaret Atwood's 'Surfacing,' and Kate Chopin's 'The Awakening'

In this thesis the author explores the hero's journey as defined by Joseph Campbell and several other writers concerned with the quest of self-discovery. The author's inquiry and argument pertains to the possibility that Campbell's hero's path might include women. The quest motif is applied to an examination of three literary works and their female protagonists' spiritual journeys. Proceeding from the initiatory stage, through the slaying of dragons, and finally to transforming self-discovery, two women achieve individuation and return from their adventures while one does not.