Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

certain conditions. Andersen’s tale ends at a castle, where “T” meets a tiny prince and
marries him. PIJØs narrative is like a condensed version with a related plot and many
of the same configurations: nature and its creatures as friends and foes, the protagonist
being threatened, helped and helping others, flying high and sinking low, exploring
underground territory and finally settling at a castle. The five other sessions
categorized as complete narratives have not direct similarities with well-known fairy
tales, however the emplotments have similar features. A very distinctive feature is that
the protagonist goes into action when threatened. She faces the difficulties instead of
flying or freezing. This feature is also a characteristic of the narrative structure known
as the Hero’s or Heroine’s myth.
The complete stages of a hero’s journey according to Campbell, as reported by Clark
(1995) are: The Call to Adventure – Supernatural Aid – Crossing the Treshold of
Adventure – Trials and Tasks – Reaching the Nadir – Receiving the Boon – Return
(Note: Clark also created a music program Mythic Journey I: The Hero* (Clark
1995), based on these stages. *Name change in 2002).
It is possible to relate the six complete narratives identified to this matrix, however I
will only try to relate a) the narrative of #4 analysed above, b) the complete
therapeutic process of PIJØ to the matrix of the Hero’s journey:
Table 7. 2 One complete narrative and PIJØs complete process related to the
narrative matrix of the ‘Hero’s Journey’
Stages of Hero’s journey Session #4 ‘Thumbelina’* PIJØs therapeutic process
The Call to Adventure T. is born from a soap bubble
and finds herself in the
unknown world of the lake –
on a water lily leaf. She
moves from leaf to leaf.
Supernatural Aid She enters a flower,
experiences serenity. It is
almost like being in a church.
Crossing the Threshold of
Adventure
200
A dragonfly takes her on a
ride. She looks down at the
lake from above. It feels safe
to fly high.
P. was in a difficult transition
phase of her life.
Rehabilitation from
abdominal cancer, combined
with being a student and
having relational problems
called her to look for support.
P. was informed about the
BMGIM project and
volunteered. She trusted the
therapist and the process
from the beginning.
P. began her therapy. The
first session presented images
of yearning and sadness. She
began to work.