Definition:
The Refusal of the Return occurs when the hero finds bliss or excitement in the new world and does not want to leave. The hero often decides to return home, but, in some cases, the hero decides to remain in the new world.
The Refusal of the Return occurs when the hero finds bliss or excitement in the new world and does not want to leave. The hero often decides to return home, but, in some cases, the hero decides to remain in the new world.
In "Avatar," Jake does not want to be a paraplegic, anymore. His avatar life offers him the ability to run on hind legs. Jake is also fascinated by his new perspective on things, as a Na'vi. Instead of returning to Quaritch and following his orders, Jake decides to complete the final stage of becoming reborn as a Na'vi. He is now a full Na'vi.
The Bigger Picture
Jake does not want to return to the normal world, because he realizes that he was meant to be in the Na'vi world. This demonstrates a massive change in his character. At the start of the movie, Jake was just a reluctant former-marine following orders. Now, he feels that he should have a say in the next step that he takes. Now that he has uncovered his potential as a son of the Omaticaya People, Jake decides that Pandora is where he belongs.
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