Vogler Annotation #8

Vogler Annotation #8

31 October 2008

Vogler, Christopher, and Michele Montez. The Writer's Journey : Mythic Structure for Writers. 3rd ed. Boston: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 175-194.

Summary

The ninth stage of Vogler’s Hero’s Journey is the Reward. This is the stage where our hero realizes the change that has come over him as a result of his “near death” experience. The quotations are necessary to express that not all heroes literally approach their own physical demise. This is the stage in which celebration may take place. The “campfire scene” also occurs in this stage and allows an opportunity for the audience to experience their hero’s relief at his or her survival. This scene also allows us to get to know our hero better and take a closer look into his mind and natural character. This stage in the journey allows our hero to take possession of his conquest. This may appear in the form of a “love scene”, a “seizing of the sword”, or even “elixir theft”.

Vogler’s tenth stage is The Road Back. This step refers to the hero’s return from the Special World back to the Ordinary World. The Hero does not always make this return consciously or voluntarily. Often, the hero is “chased” back into his Special World. The Road Back is, in a sense, a sort of second Call to Adventure, in that it requires our Hero to take the initiative to return to her former lifestyle with a new perspective on things. The Road Back is also, essentially, a rebuild of the tension experienced earlier by the audience. It is the stage in which, you are surprised to discover that the journey is not as complete as you may have initially thought.

Reaction

I have noticed a recurrent theme in these Vogler Hero’s Journey Stages: Every time you think the adventure is complete, something else comes up. There are moments of relief and joy at the Hero’s accomplishments but it is quickly discovered that nothing is as simple as it initially seems to be. This is also interesting to me because I have begun to notice in myself that, when reading books and watching films, I expect the unexpected. It is very unusual for a film to completely catch me off guard with its plot direction, and I do believe that is because of this recurrent formula that has become engrained in our society.

Questions

1. We have sought to apply Vogler to our lives in every way imaginable. I was considering this stage—The Road Back—and was not exactly sure of examples in my own life when I have been through this. Can you think of any examples in your own life that have caused you to undergo “The Road Back”?

2. Do you think a psychological reward is more valuable than a tangible one?

3. How does the Reward contribute to the type of Road Back a hero may experience?