Go there, do that. What makes a quest, a quest?

Trips can either be quick with no encounters of any kind, or trips can be long with obstacles that need to be overcome. Of course the second one makes for a more interesting and complex story. Every trip is a quest according to Thomas Foster’s How to Read Literature like a Professor. Whether it be a walk to the grocery store to buy a loaf of bread or a journey across the world to rescue a damsel in distress, a trip can be considered a quest with these 5 elements: a quester, a place to go, a stated reason to go there, challenging experiences, and a real reason to go there.

Most elements mentioned are pretty obvious, but the two elements that seem to spark some attention are the reason and the real reason. The reason is most times mentioned in the beginning of the story. However, most times this reason fails. The real reason is discovered and replaces the first reason. In the end, the protagonist gains an educational experience about himself.

Not all stories will tell the obvious tale of a prince’s quest to slay the dragon, but instead a lot of quests can be found in stories that involve self-knowledge and self-discovery. Thus, characters often are young, naïve, and in need of a life changing experience. Stephen King’s The Body, or the movie Stand By Me, created based on King’s novella, reflects this idea of a quest to self-knowledge and self-discovery.  The story takes place in a small town where everyone knows everyone. The town was not the happiest place to live, having a lot of abusive and dysfunctional households. At the time the story takes place, it was announced that one of the young boys that lived in the neighborhood went missing. One boy overhears that the missing boy was actually dead and his body was lying down by the local railroad tracks. Four preteen boys made plans to set out and find the body in hopes to gain fame. On their way, the four boys were chased by a dog at a dump, almost hit by a train, and got themselves infested with leeches. In addition to becoming closer through these life threatening circumstances, the boys also became closer than ever after sharing personal stories with each other of their lives and their hardships. Their first reason for their quest disappeared. They no longer wished to become famous. It is in that moment the boys found out who they truly are and what they are capable of. The characters gain self-knowledge ultimately being their real reason.

In order for any trip to be considered a quest, it is necessary that the journey includes the 5 elements listed above. According to Joe Bunting, the writer of the #1 Amazon Best Seller Let’s Write a Short Story!, a quest consists with these five elements along with a few more details. He explains the importance of the character’s traits and the type of friends that follow him along the journey. He also explains that the main character might face his biggest challenge right before obtaining his goal. His explanation of a quest can be found here at: thewritingpractice.com/the-quest/.