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?