Understanding whiteness part 29: Home again, Voyage and Return, the End.

Home again

All stories move forward. They have to, otherwise they never reach conclusion. The most compelling stories are cyclical – returning to their starting point with new insights. The protagonist, and the audience, can see their original home with new eyes and fresh perspectives. They have learned something about themselves and their world, and the audience can leave the story that little bit more enlightened than they were when it began. When Alice returns from Wonderland she is emboldened by the experiences she has had. Dorothy makes it home from Oz and has grown in knowledge and maturity. Back to the Future ends with Marty McFly returning back to 1985 with a new respect for his parents, having helped them to realise their full potential.

What I like about stories of voyage and return is that they end with confidence in the face of the unknown. You know that the protagonist is going to be ok with whatever is coming their way because they have learned enough about themselves to handle the turbulence. Also, they know more about where they started, which empowers them to go forward. Some of the most famous examples of voyage and return are all about the protagonist conquering their fears, becoming more mature and returning home with new knowledge.

I feel as though dominant whiteness needs to go on a voyage, away from the comfort of its home, in order to return and understand itself better. We can outline the process in three steps: