After Peekay had accepted the call to his adventure, he met various protective figures; these mentors had taught him skills, knowledges and courage to survive through this harsh cold journey where the obstacles unfold. All of these “supernatural aid” figures conveniently appear as a reflection upon Peekay’s needs, which contributed to his self-development and the ultimate goal. According to Campbell’s excerpt from The Hero with a Thousand Faces, protective figure is the one “who provides the adventurer with amulet against the dragon forces he is about to pass” (71-72). This “amulet” comes in many forms, it could be an advice, a drill, a lesson, a talisman, etc. For example, when Peekay needs a guidance to the path of his own destiny, Hoppie …show more content…
According to Peekay, Doc had “taught me to read for meaning and information, to make margin notes and to follow these up with trips to the Barberton library.” (Courtenay, 157). Peekay was gifted an invaluable ability to read and comprehend as he needed it most; a boxer must learn how to read and predict the opponent first before he knows how to exploit the weakness. Already wielded this gift in his early youth, Peekay advanced quickly in his boarding school, creating a huge impression in everyone’s eyes. However, when talking about real boxing techniques, Geel Piet was the one who taught Peekay of how the principle of respect works in boxing, “If they do not respect your punch, they simply keep going until they knock you down, man. A boxer must have respect.” (Courtenay, page 231). A boxer must always have respect, having an open-minded head is one story, gaining respect is another story. Punching is the only device of communication between two boxers, as Peekay cannot let the opponents to abuse him through their punches, but must prove his strength in the foe’s eyes to gain respect. This is how oneself can protect of himself: by showing his pride, courage and respect in the heat of a fight; and soonly it shall influences the