Vogler # 8

Summary:

 

            In this section of The Writers Journey, the hero’s quest is beginning to come to an end. By this point, the hero has faced his life “life and death” experience, and now he is moving forward to retrieve his reward and to return back to his “ordinary world”.

            Vogler describes the “reward” as being a physical object, a lesson learned, a love gained, a realization in ones self or more insight when returning to the “ordinary world” because of the experiences he endured while in the “new world”. This is a very important part of the journey because it is where the hero acquires something in exchange for the challenges he had to undergo during his journey. Now, the life and death experience he has is worth it because he gained something so much more meaningful because of it, and he has come out a changed human being that he himself as well as others take note of. This scene is also a good part of the film, play or book to allow the audience to realize the sacrifices the hero has made and how he has grown from this entire experience. This is a good chance for the audience to familiarize with the main character, and allow them to relate to his experience and who he has now become as a human being.

             The reward then leads to the “road back”, which is the part of the journey where the hero decides to leave the “new world” along with all his newfound knowledge (or some other form of reward or prize) and return to the “new world” with his new belongings. Many things can occur during the road back that is not planned. A villain who was not completely defeated can return to seek revenge, a “chase” scene can occur in order to build up the excitement for the audience, or a “setback” may occur when suddenly the hero’s good luck turns around and something else is may suddenly occur which he must deal with before he is finally finished with his journey. After these events occur, the hero just needs a little more support and effort in order to return back home.

 

Reaction:

 

            I think that these sections of Vogler were very accurate and clear in describing how a hero begins the conclusion of his journey. I feel if a move suddenly ends abruptly with no slow down period of the “reward” and no fast paced excitement of the “road back”, the movie would leave me feeling confused and unsatisfied. These elements are very important to establishing the journey and the character of the hero as well. In order for the audience to relate to both the hero and his journey these steps must take place before the conclusion.

 

Questions:

 

1.     What is the “reward” for hero’s who are deceased by the end of the movie such as Kevin Spacey’s character in American Beauty or Will Smith in I Am Legend?

2.     Are there situations where the hero doesn’t want to return back to the “ordinary world”? Does the hero ever remain in the “new world?”

3.     Name a “Setback” that occurred in the Dark Knight.