A Hope in Hell (The Sandman #4, Preludes and Nocturnes)
“I have hope. And I stand here, alone and afraid […]”—Dream
Hello Dreamers!
Today, we are going to talk about one of my favourite issues of The Sandman: A Hope in Hell (#4). And because it is one of my favourite issues, it might turn out a tiny bit longer than you are used to.
The premise of this issue is Dream travelling to Hell to reclaim his helm, one of his symbols of power that was stolen from him.
What I love about this issue is that Dream's journey to Hell is not only a physical one, but also a psychological one. He has to face his fears and his regrets. He has to confront the consequences of his actions, and the responsibility of his role.
But Dream is also a creative being, who draws inspiration from his experiences and emotions; he is the Prince of Stories after all.
So here comes the synopsis…
Dream continues his quest to recover his lost symbols of power. If you need a recap of previous issues: You can find all of them here.
He travels to Hell, where he believes his helmet is held by a demon. He is escorted by Etrigan, a rhyming demon who serves as his guide. In the TV show, Etrigan has been replaced by Squatterbloat, who in the comics only greets Dream at the Gates of Hell. Along the way, Dream encounters Nada, a former lover whom he condemned to eternal torment for rejecting him (the petulant child he is). He also meets Lucifer, who rules over Hell with Azazel and Beelzebub. Lucifer tells Dream that he can have his helmet back if he can identify the demon who stole it. Dream uses his sand to locate the demon Choronzon, who then challenges Dream to “The Oldest Game”, in which they take turns transforming and trying to overcome each other. Dream accepts the challenge and defeats Choronzon by becoming hope, something that Choronzon cannot understand or counter.
In the TV show, Lucifer themselves is duelling Dream, which was a good move in my opinion, but it left comics fans a bit divided. Decide for yourself—I simply had to put the clip of The Oldest Game in here because I think Gwendoline Christie and Tom Sturridge were both really outstanding in this episode in general, but in this scene in particular. If you haven’t watched the show yet, you might want to skip the clip (CW: mild horror and injury).
Dream ultimately reclaims his helmet and prepares to leave Hell, but Lucifer warns him that he has made himself enemies and vows to destroy him someday. Dream replies that dreams are essential even in Hell and departs (with his raven companion Matthew in the show). Meanwhile, on Earth, John Dee (who possesses Dream's ruby) receives a mysterious amulet from his deceased mother.
In the TV series, the issue “Passengers” intercuts with “A Hope in Hell”, but for this newsletter, I will write about them separately, so we are not going to go into it right now.
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The Pain Points
Dream is a character who is deeply affected by his emotions, especially his guilt, anger, and loneliness. He is also haunted by his past mistakes, such as condemning a lover to eternal torment in Hell.
“A Hope in Hell” is one of my favourite issues due to its complexity and has always strongly resonated with my writer-self (more about that later). There are many possible ways to relate its topics to life struggles and mental health/wellbeing:
The power of hope: Dream's victory over Choronzon/Lucifer shows that hope is a powerful force that can overcome any obstacle, even in the darkest of places. Hope is fragile, even for Dream (it’s not for nothing that I chose that particular quote for today’s sub-header instead of one of the more renowned ones). Hope can be seen as a form of dreaming, a way of imagining a better future and creating meaning in one's life. Hope can help people cope with adversity, trauma, and depression, as well as inspire them to pursue their goals and passions. However, hope can also be unrealistic, even delusional, and in that case, it can lead to disappointment, frustration, and despair. Hope is not wishful thinking—it is always balanced with realism and action.
We also get a stark reminder of what happens when all hope is lost, and I will just let this image speak for itself (CW suicide):
The consequences of pride: Dream's encounter with Nada reveals his pride and arrogance, as he punished her for rejecting him and refuses to forgive her even after thousands of years. His pride also prevents him from apologising or releasing her. Pride can be a source of self-esteem and confidence, but it can also be a barrier to communication, empathy, and growth. Pride can makes us stubborn, defensive, and insensitive to others' needs and perspectives. Pride can also blind us to our own flaws and mistakes, and prevents us from learning from them. It is very hard for Dream to temper his pride with humility and compassion, not just self-importance.
The complexity of identity: Dream's ability to change his shape according to the beings he interacts with shows that identity is not fixed or static, but fluid and dynamic. Identity can be influenced by various factors, such as culture, context, relationships, and experiences. Identity can also be a source of creativity and diversity, as well as a way of expressing one's individuality and uniqueness. However, identity can also be confusing and challenging, especially when it conflicts with others' expectations or norms. It can become a source of insecurity and anxiety, especially when it is threatened or questioned by others.
The Exploration
Dream draws inspiration from his experiences and his emotions. He is dreaming personified, also hope personified (which is extremely tragic, but we will get to this at a much later stage). He is the Prince of Stories, and he uses stories as his weapon and his shield. The Oldest Game is a prime example of a type of storytelling that tests wit and logic, and of course we should expect the Prince of Stories and Lord of Dreams to excel at that, right?
Dream shows us that creativity can be a source of strength and healing. It can help us cope with our pain, our trauma, and our challenges. It helps us express ourselves, our feelings, and our ideas. It connects us with others, our culture, and our identity. In short: It brings meaning, purpose, and hope.
That’s why I’d really expand on the importance of storytelling for our mental well-being today.
Storytelling is a fundamental aspect of human psychology, as it serves various functions for individuals and societies. Some of the roles of storytelling in human psychology are:
Storytelling helps us make sense of the world and ourselves. Stories allow us to organise our experiences, memories, emotions, and beliefs into coherent and meaningful narratives. They help us understand other people's perspectives, motives, and feelings, which enhances our social cognition and empathy. By telling and listening to stories, we can create and share our identities, values, and cultures.12
Storytelling helps us cope with challenges and difficulties. Stories can provide us with hope, inspiration, and motivation to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. They help us process and heal from trauma, grief, and loss, they allow us to express our emotions, find meaning, and gain support from others. Stories also enable us to recognise patterns, causality, and order in chaotic situations, ultimately helping us to confront uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity.3
Storytelling helps us enjoy and appreciate life. Stories can stimulate our imagination, creativity, and curiosity, which enriches our cognitive and emotional experiences. They entertain us, make us laugh, and evoke positive emotions, which enhances our well-being and happiness. In short: They foster our appreciation of beauty, diversity, and wonder in the world (and ourselves!).4
And people who know me will also know how often I talk about the power of stories: By telling them, and listening to them, we learn, grow, heal, and connect with ourselves and others.
So how can we apply these recurring themes in stories to our own mental well-being?
Cultivating hope is not always easy. Practising gratitude is a start—learning to appreciate what we have, looking for the positive aspects of our situations, while also acknowledging the pain. One really important step is to set more realistic and meaningful goals, and take action to achieve them, ideally supported by people who share our hopes and dreams (and offer our help to those who need it in return). Dream's victory over Choronzon and Lucifer is a testament to the power of hope and optimism. Dream uses his imagination and creativity to outwit his opponents. Hope is something they cannot comprehend (or rather: They do, and that’s why it is impossible for them to counter it). He shows that hope is not simply naive or foolish.
How is your creativity and imagination inspired by hope, and how does it help you to express yourself?
How does it help you to cope with challenges and difficulties?
To overcome pride, we can practise self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-improvement. We can recognise our strengths and weaknesses, accept ourselves as we are, and strive to become better versions of ourselves. But how? One way is to listen to feedback, admit our mistakes, and apologise when we are wrong. Another is to focus less on ourselves, but learn to appreciate others for who they are, and celebrate their achievements and contributions without expecting anything in return. Dream's journey to Hell is a metaphor for facing one's inner demons and overcoming one's personal challenges. Dream does not give up, even when he faces powerful enemies and obstacles. He shows courage, determination, and resourcefulness in pursuing his goals.
Is pride a topic for you? How does it affect your ability to love and forgive?
How do old wounds show up as pride for you, and what could you do to heal?
To explore identity, we can practise curiosity, openness, and authenticity. We can learn about ourselves and others, try new things, and challenge ourselves. And even if it feels hard at times, we shouldn’t be afraid to express our thoughts and feelings honestly, without fear of judgment or rejection. And obviously meet others with the same sentiment: Respect for, and appreciation of, the diversity and uniqueness of others, embracing our similarities and differences. Dream, who is often so rigid and unable to change, shows for once that he can adapt. He shows us that listening is essential for understanding oneself and others, as well as for resolving conflict.
How do you currently communicate and connect with others?
Do you endeavour to understand different perspectives (and cultures), or do they make you feel closed off?
And that’s it for this week’s issue. Please share your thoughts in the comments, or join our subscriber chat. And if you like like this newsletter, please subscribe and share it with your friends who might be interested in The Sandman, too.
In a fortnight, we will discuss issue #5, “Passengers”.
Until then, sweet dreams! 😉
