Artemis

The theme of The Hero’s Journey: Rebirth Through Self-Sacrifice culminates in the novel’s closing section, which shows Jazz’s growth from a brash and cynical young adult to a self-sacrificing and compassionate woman. She finally prioritizes others over herself, relies on other people, and allows her relationships to progress. As Jazz races against the clock to save her hometown and faces her community’s response to her actions, she demonstrates her personal growth.

Jazz begins by saving Loretta, even though Loretta attacks her and has tried to kill her. Jazz prioritizes protecting this unknown woman above getting herself and Dale to safety. This decision has far-reaching consequences: Jazz loses precious time, which causes Bob’s rover to sustain critical damage and ultimately prevents the team from entering back into Artemis by docking. However, Jazz’s self-sacrificial gesture ultimately proves beneficial. Later, Loretta, who has an enormous amount of clout on Artemis, partners with Lene to bring the smelting operation back into action.

Jazz further demonstrates her growth in her battle against Lefty. She stays calm instead of panicking and merely disarms her adversary when she could have killed him. Alternatively, she could have run from the scene without securing him. Her decision to keep him both alive and contained shows that she is thinking about future consequences and acting based on this analysis.

Jazz’s final great sacrifice saves more than 2,000 lives and solidifies how she has grown. She no longer runs and hides when the situation becomes dire; she steps up to the challenge and does what needs to be done. It is notable too that in the moments before what she expects will be her death, her thoughts are of love and forgiveness. Jazz follows the hero’s journey not merely in action but in consciousness, which has expanded beyond the narrow interests that governed her life at the start of the novel.

Like most on the hero’s journey, Jazz lives, returning to her life on Artemis and facing the consequences of her reckless but also selfless behavior. Although some Artemisians do hold Jazz responsible for the catastrophe and their near-death experience, others primarily blame the administrator and KSC for not having better safety checks. Regardless of official blame, however, Jazz carries the responsibility for the incident on her shoulders, as demonstrated by her repeated questions about the health of Artemis’s population when she herself wakes up seriously injured—another sign of her growth.

With the major threats facing Artemis resolved thanks to Jazz’s heroics, the novel’s denouement focuses on Jazz’s relationships. Here again she demonstrates character development. Jazz reaches out to her father to mend what she broke as a teenager—not just materially but interpersonally. Her gift of the shop is a tangible redemption for Jazz, and Ammar’s acceptance of it signals that he believes in his daughter and her transformation.

Dale and Jazz end the book back in the bar. The well-established setting, which Jazz has returned to throughout the novel, seemingly suggests that little has changed: Jazz is, at least for the moment, poor once again. However, the setting’s familiarity also serves as a counterpoint to all of the things that are different, including Dale and Jazz’s relationship. Jazz has forgiven Dale, even accepting a lunch invitation with Dale and Tyler. Letting go of her anger allows her to lean into connection, including her budding romantic connection with Svoboda. Jazz’s near-death experiences have also taught her that while there are bad people, there are also many people she can trust.

Artemis engages with cutting-edge science, but it is a hero’s journey at its core. Jazz turns from a confused, frightened isolationist to a trusting and brave community leader whose small town knows what she has done to and for them. Jazz never lowers herself to the level of her enemies. She has multiple opportunities to kill the people threatening her but always takes the path of honor. This path leads her to success and connection with honorable people who value her and put their lives and livelihoods on the line to support her efforts. Jazz learns to reach past her anger, shame, and resentment to become the savior of Artemis.