I'm not super up on Campbell, but isn't the meeting of with the goddess a subtype of supernatural aid? (Granted, the elves are pretty feminine in any case) Bilbo doesn't get Sting in Rivendell, but he does learn of its past, and there's a lot of information dropped. It has a definite "our heroes are now girt for battle" feel. Of course, Bilbo's biggest boon is the Ring, but that's his reward for escaping Gollum, which is obvious Belly of the Whale territory. In fact, the Ring isn't as useful to him as is the confidence it bestows.
As for the gender thing, there's a very significant difference between a paternal relationship and a maternal one. Even more broadly, characters can be male but have a feminine bond, at least as recognised by the rubric of Western society. That said, Campbell uses some really obscure terms sometimes.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2013-03-10 07:07 am (UTC)Of course, Bilbo's biggest boon is the Ring, but that's his reward for escaping Gollum, which is obvious Belly of the Whale territory. In fact, the Ring isn't as useful to him as is the confidence it bestows.
As for the gender thing, there's a very significant difference between a paternal relationship and a maternal one. Even more broadly, characters can be male but have a feminine bond, at least as recognised by the rubric of Western society. That said, Campbell uses some really obscure terms sometimes.