The Gruffalo is a hero’s journey, an archetypal story which repeats in cultures all over the world. And here's how you can use The Gruffalo to talk about your own journey, either to explain yourself to non-academics or to warn the next generation of students just how hard a PhD will be. Mouse brought a little justice to the wood, your PhD brings a little knowledge to the world. Mouse could scare off his predators, you will be able to defend your arguments. You will find your PhD and the chance to call yourself an expert. Mouse found The Gruffalo and the chance for brains to triumph over brawn. You will make yourself stronger and you will make the world a better place. You will seize that thing and drag it back into the light.
You wonder why you ever started out… BUT if you keep going, you will find something of great value in the deepest, darkest place. They’re not foxes, owls or snakes, they're questions and challenges: do you know your literature are you gathering solid data are you assembling a straw man argument? The journey gets tougher, the reading is endless, your supervisors throw up more problems than they solve. There are threats coming at you from all sides. You don’t know enough to defend your own opinions. Just like Mouse, you are on a journey into a deep, dark place when you start your PhD. My favourite food is Gruffalo Crumble!” Exit terrified Gruffalo, leaving Mouse in peace. “Well Gruffalo,” says Mouse, “you see, everyone is afraid of me. Each animal sees the Gruffalo and runs away. Mouse walks back through the woods, meeting snake, owl and fox in turn.
“Just walk behind me,” he says, “and soon you’ll see. The Gruffalo sizes up Mouse for a snack, but clever Mouse claims to be the baddest animal in the woods.
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