Vogler annotation #6

Vogler Annotation #6

Elena Weinberg

14 October 2008

 

Vogler, Christopher, and Michele Montez. The Writer's Journey : Mythic Structure for Writers. 3rd ed. Boston: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 127-141.

 

Summary

 

            After the initial Refusal of the Call to Adventure, our hero is ready to Cross the First Threshold.  The First Threshold may take on a physical form like a river or may merely be a shift in tone.  These “energy shifts” may be effectively portrayed through music or a dimming of the screen.  This step requires, what is called “a leap of faith.”  Our hero is forced to step in to the Special World of the unknown, which requires a special type of courage. 

 

            Once the Hero has Crossed the First Threshold into the Special World, he is confronted with a series of tasks and tests that cause him to step outside of his comfort zone.  This step is called “Tests, Allies, Enemies.”  This stage of the Hero’s Journey is where our Hero makes friends and meets or becomes familiar with his enemies.  As this step includes the introduction to the Special World, a sharp contrast should be made between the two worlds, so that the audience is better able to relate to the Hero on his quest in this unknown land.  This step is also intended to prepare our hero for the more dangerous task(s) ahead.  Additionally, this is where a character will generally stop at a “local watering hole” to recuperate and become more familiar with the new world into which he has entered.  A “local watering hole” is commonly seen in the bars and saloons in old western films.  This is also a place where our Hero can quickly become familiar with New Rules of the Special World.

 

Reaction

 

            Stages Six and Seven of the Hero’s Journey (Crossing the First Threshold and Tests, Allies, Enemies) are very much preparatory steps.  While the entire Hero’s Journey is meant to prepare its audience for what lies ahead, these are the two major steps in which the hero receives his preparation for Stage Seven:  Approach to the Inmost Cave.  While they are not perhaps the most exciting of the steps in the Hero’s Journey, they are crucial steps because it is in these scenes that the Hero receives information and experience necessary for conquering the Inmost Cave.

 

Questions

 

1.     What would happen if we were to remove either of these steps from the Hero’s Journey?  Would there still be a story?  Would it still be entertaining?

 

2.     Is there a time in your own life that you have had trouble deciphering your friends from your enemies?  How does this affect your own personal Hero’s Journey?

 

3.     Is the theme of ambiguous friends and enemies a common theme in many films or stories that you can think of?