Annotated Bibliography # 4

Summary:

            In this section of the book Vogler begins speaking about the stages of the journey that the hero now embarks on.

            The first stage that the hero is placed in is called the “ordinary world” which is where the audience observes the heroes life prior to beginning his journey. In this “ordinary world” we meet the hero who must have several qualities in order for the journey to occur. The hero must be relatable to the audience even if he isn’t a sympathetic one. Something about him and his life has to be understood by the audience so that they are willing to follow him along on his quest. There must be also something missing in his life that he must find during his journey. These might come from the “inner and outer problems” because he as an individual must have  “flaws” or else he will be and uninteresting to the audience.

            Vogler also speaks about the ways that are most effective when presenting the hero in his ordinary world. He speaks about the impact of the first scene in the ordinary world as well as the first scene where the hero is actually present. The ordinary world foreshadows the reason for the adventure as well as grabs the audience’s attention and keeps them focused on the plot.

            The ordinary world is so important because it allows you to glimpse at the heroes life before it drastically changes so that the audience knows the importance of what the hero is fighting for and why he is doing it.

            Following the Ordinary World comes the “Call to Adventure.” Here is where the hero feels the need to leave the ordinary world in order to find something different, something that is missing in his life. Vogler states that the hero’s motivation may come from within the hero or by another character that brings something else to the table that somehow changes the hero’s usual path. This character can be the “Herald”, a love interest, or a villain.

 

Reaction:

I think that Vogler depicted accurately how many stories begin. The audience must experience the hero’s ordinary world prior to his adventure so that they get to know the hero and his life before it drastically transforms.

This ordinary world is extremely important because without it you won’t be able to understand the hero and why he is on this journey. You won’t, as Vogler puts it, know “what is at stake.” It is also important to no only portray the ordinary world but portray it well so that the audience is instantly sucked into the plot and interested in what will occur next.

The call to adventure occurs in every piece of literature I’ve read and movie and play I have seen. Sometimes the hero decides on his own to go on a journey, but in my opinion there is usually an outside force that somehow persuades the hero to begin his journey weather the force is good or bad. Even in life the little journey we have embarked on are usually influenced by something else.

 

Questions:

1. What qualities do you look for in a hero? What flaws do you think a hero can posses and still be a hero?

           

2. Do you think it is more effective when the herald calls the hero to adventure or when the hero decides to embark on the adventure himself?

 

3. Do you think it is more effective when the hero or the villain’s entrance is first within a story?

Annotated Bibliography #3

Vogler, Christopher. The Writers Journey. Third. CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998. Pgs. 49 -88

 

Summary:

 

            In this section of The Writers Journey, Vogler discusses several Archetypes that influence the Hero on his journey. These archetypes are complex and diverse characters that hold many different functions within the journey. They all affect the hero in different ways but ultimately come together in order create the heroes character and define his task.

            The archetypes included the Threshold Guardian, the Herald, the Shapeshifter, the Shadow, the Ally and the Trickster whose qualities can be found among many different characters within the story and not just one distinct character throughout.

The Threshold Guardian is one who is suppose to test the hero on his journey however is not suppose to be overcome by him because he is more of a motivational figure rather than a villain. The Herald challenges the hero and is usually the one to persuade him to begin his journey and accomplish his mission. The Shapeshifter, who can be interpreted as numerous amounts of characters, often involves someone who the hero has mixed feelings about throughout the story (usually someone of the opposite sex). The Shadow is someone who threatens the hero and acts as a threat or villain while the Ally is someone who is there to support the hero and assist him. Lastly the trickster is there to humor the audience and allow them to enjoy the journey in a more lighthearted way.

 

Reaction:

When reading about this separate Archetypes I thought about how these different types of characters are present in almost every story I’ve ever heard as well as written. They are so significant and important because their presence is what makes the story come alive. Weather they challenge the hero, help him, or try to stop him from achieving his goals these individuals are what creates the obstacles which creates the need for a change which creates a journey which creates a hero and his allies. The fact is that without these archetypes the story itself would cease to exist. Knowing more about these archetypes will surely help me understand the concept of hero and who needs to involved in his life in order to create a successful story.

 

Questions:

1. Do you think that all the Archetypes must be present in a story? Do you think that some can be combined with each other?
2.  Who do you think are the archetypes in I Am Legend?
3. Can you describe someone in your life that you consider to be a Shapeshifter besides someone of the opposite sex?