Open Prompt

2006, Form B. In many works of literature, a physical journey - the literal movement from one place to another - plays a central role. Choose a novel, play, or epic poem in which a physical journey is an important element and discuss how the journey adds to the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.

       The Odyssey is one of the most famous stories of a physical journey in literary history. It contains action, love, villains and a hero. The reader follows Odysseus's physical journey while experiencing his emotional one while he learns lessons and defeats his moral battles. 

          Odysseus's journey is the entire reason for the work as a whole, it is the entire story, and what everything revolves around. The story begins with Odysseus trapped on an island being held by Calypso, then he is allowed to build a boat and move on to his next destination, then his next and his next. He is constantly battling to get home allows the reader to not only read but experience how he changes and fights as a his character grows. Without the journey there would be no story, therefore is a key part in the work as a whole. 

        Physical journeys were a huge theme years ago in writing and still are today, the story of Odysseus and his journey to get back home has been retold and reused countless times in modern literature. This proves the importance of the physical journey and the role it plays in the story of the Odyssey alone.