Vogler # 9

Summary:

 

            The Resurrection is a step in the Hero’s journey that allows the character to form into a realistic and believable character that the audience can both admire and relate to and begin to say goodbye to. Vogler relates the resurrection to a “final exam” where the hero takes what he’s learned from his previous test, or “midterm”, and applies it to this ordeal. By this time, there is much more at risk for the hero and much more to lose. The first time could have been a life and death situation, but now this final task it must seem as if his world is at risk.

The resurrection is also the part where he finally leaves behind who he used to be and is transformed into some sort of hero. During the Resurrection, things that must occur within the hero and be displayed to those around him that show that the character has changed and he has bettered himself in some way. A “new self” must be created before going back to the “ordinary world”. 

Also, heroes must make a choice to show their sacrifice and devotion to their true cause. This shows the audience how serious they are about the journey and accomplishing their task. This can be giving up something they believe in or sacrificing some routine they used to partake in, such as crashing weddings in “Wedding Crashers”.

The hero doesn’t exactly have to live through this part in order for him to leave his mark on those around him. “Tragic Heroes” die, but they leave their memory with those they saved and impact they had on the world around them, such as Will Smith in “I Am Legend”.

Vogler also mentioned three types of climaxes that may occur in this step. One is regular “climax” where there is a “big explosion” and something very substantial occurs and the audience is fully aware that this is the final big event. Another is a “quiet climax” where the hero has a “sudden realization” and that is the change that begins concluding the story. Lastly, there is a “rolling climax” where a series of climaxes occur until the finally.

By the end of the Resurrection, it must be clear to the audience that a change has been made so that the hero can finally return home with all he has learned.

 

 

The next step is the Elixir, where the hero’s journey is at last at its conclusion. Here two forms of conclusions are acceptable. One is the Circular form which most Hollywood films posses because it has more of a “happily ever after ending.” Here you are shown how far the hero has come from beginning his journey and you see how different the ordinary world looks to him now that he has experienced his journey. You are aware that a new chapter has begun in his life although you leave the story feeling complete.

The second type of conclusion is called the “open-ended” and is more popular outside the United States. This leaves the audience with some questions and leaves them thinking that the story continues on after the story has ended. This is good when creating a story with a “hard realistic edge.”

In either the stories ending cannot be finished too “neatly”, their needs to be a bit of a twist. In Wedding Crashers, although both the lead characters got their girls in the end they all decide to go to a wedding and crash it which a little humor that leaves the audience feeling like the characters are only human and fathomable.

The Elixir can come in many different that show the hero has changed and learned a valuable lesson.

Vogler goes on to discuss things you should not do such as “abrupt endings” which can lead the audience feeling incomplete.

 

 

Reaction:

 

            I think Vogler does a very good job at depicting the proper ending to any hero’s story or any characters story for that matter. His outline helps us create a character that is real to the audience because if he is not than the story itself is not enjoyable. I liked the different options that Vogler gives in ending a story because it gives the writer room for creativity and her own input on things and this characters own personal circumstance. Hero’s journeys are all different and they all end differently just as ours are in our own lives.

The fact the writer must stress the fact that the hero has changed, grown, and learned a lesson is very vital and Vogler makes it a point to go through this. A journey is not a real journey if you come out of it with nothing gained. Until that lesson, prize, or realization has been earned, the hero’s journey can never be complete.

 

Questions:

 

           

1.     What is an example of a movie with an “open-ended” ending?

2.     On Pg. 205 Vogler states that “ A common flaw in stories is that writers make heroes grow or change too abruptly.” What is the problem with this and do you know of a movie that has this problem?