Vogler, Memo From the Story Department:
The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. There may be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.
If the hero successfully overcomes his or her Ordeal, he or she can finally take possession of the Reward. The Reward can come in many forms–it can be an object of great importance or power, a secret, greater knowledge or insight, or even reconciliation with a loved one or an ally. Whatever the Reward is, it propels the hero to the climactic moment and gives him or her the key to surviving it.
Batty - Movies That Move Us:
Physically, in celebration of the journey travelled, the protagonist seizes the sword of victory and collects his Reward. The physicality of the gain is compensation for travelling the challenging terrain, from Crossing the First Threshold to leaving the Inmost Cave, and as such gives the protagonist physical catharsis. The Reward itself is of a specific nature to the protagonist and his want, and in scale with the journey that he has travelled. Although his true reward may be emotional, he still craves this physical representation – an outward sign of his success. Having collected the Reward, he may from here on in act, look or even speak differently. This is another physical sign of achievement from the journey that he has not only travelled, but survived.
Vogler, Memo From the Story Department:
While claiming some outer Reward the hero is inwardly Accepting Consequences of New Life, perhaps enjoying a feeling of love or connectedness, or realizing the consequences of the inner change he has just made.
Palmer - http://www.crackingyarns.com.au/2011/04/04/a-new-character-driven-heros-journey-2/
Step 9: Reborn (The Reward)
Having been confronted with their flaw at The Ordeal, the old, flawed Hero will have died, and a new, “reborn” Hero will emerge in this sequence.
If they’ve been cowardly, they’ll now display courage. If they’ve been selfish, they’ll now demonstrate compassion. But, more importantly, their transformation will be revealed through the fresh perceptions of those around them.
In Dead Poets Society, after Todd has revealed the lyrical poet inside his diffident shell, Neil (Robert Sean Leonard) looks at him in awe and Keating says to Todd, “Don’t you forget this”. He doesn’t.
In An Officer and a Gentleman, after Zack has finally shed his insouciant wise-guy identity in the “I’ve got nothin’ else” scene, he makes Perryman feel like a heel because he’s shined his belt buckles and boots. “Son of a bitch”.
In Groundhog Day, this is where Phil finally stops trying to seduce Rita and instead talks lovingly about her – “you like boats, but not the ocean” – in a way that suggests he genuinely cares for her, rather than viewing her as just another conquest. Rita can see the change and responds to it.