Vogler Annotation p. 83-105

Summary

In this chapter Vogler looks at the ordinary world and how it sets up and keeps a story flowing. A prelude or some kind or beginning before the story takes place often gives the reader a sense of the ordinary world. It may also give some background, or grab the attention of the reader. However, there are also other ways to set up an atmosphere or mood for the reader. The title can "clue to the nature of the story and the writer's attitude" (85). Opening images may also be used to create a certain feeling for the reader or viewer. Vogler also touches on the fact that the ordinary world should be in contrast to the special world. The ordinary world may be used to foreshadow events in the future. The ordinary world should also set the theme of the story. 

The reader may be drawn in to a story by inner and outer problems. These can cause questions for the hero which is important to have so a reader will be interested. Without inner problems a character may seem "flat and uninvolving" (88). The identification of the hero is very important for the audience. A hero's flaw or lacking of something gives the audience something to want the hero to gain during the story, and what's at stake is important so the audience know this flaw is something that needs to be overcome or something the character struggles with. The Call to Adventure is used in stories to "get it rolling." Temptation, synchonicity, Heralds of change, and more may be used to create elements of danger or conflict. 

Reaction

These two chapters went thoroughly into the Ordinary World, themes, conflicts, and the Call to Adventure. I especially like the call to adventure chapter because I felt it covered the topic well. It was also interesting to see how many different ways stories can go into the call to adventure. For instance, there may be a lack of excitement, or there may be an abundance calls to adventure. I thought it was interesting how the chapter touched on not all calls o adventure being a positive summoning to a better place. The ordinary world gave a lot of information on how to make a character interesting. I think this will be helpful in my story writing for class because I could see why these things like inner and outer conflict may be interesting in a character. At least in my own thoughts I know I find it more interesting if there is inner and outer conflict, but I had not been consciously aware of it before.

Questions

1. If the characters do not have any call to adventure, are there other ways to go about an interesting point in the story? What stories do something like this if any?

2. Have you personally ever had to overcome a stake in your life?

3. Is it necessary to some level have some background in a story for the audience?

Vogler, Christopher, and Michele Montez. The Writer's Journey : Mythic Structure for Writers. Boston: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 83-105. 

Examples for Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

Ethos:
Song: Head South by Modest Mouse
Visual:

Pathos:
Song: The Wrong Way by Sublime
Visual:

Logos:
Song: John Wayne Gacy Jr. by Sufjan Stevens
Visual:

Response to Joy's Question

1. Which of the archetypes discussed in Book One do you like the most? Why?

I liked the Shapeshifter best out of the archetypes. The shapeshifter I feel can most easily be anything and relate to anyone. Everyone has different ways they act- around school, family, friends, boyfriends or girlfriends, so it is something many people can relate to. The Shapeshifter "elusive" and almost mysterious. I like this because I know in my case I am much of the time drawn to those that are mysterious because I wonder about them and am curious to know more.

Vogler Annotation

Summary:
In many stories there are a lesser villain, or a neutral character acting as a part of the landscape known as the Threshold Guardians. These characters act to test the hero in the journey. It is important and necessary for the hero to see that the Threshold Guardian is not an enemy, but an ally. They act as though they are a problem, but really may be doing the hero a favor. The Threshold Guardians stand for small obstacles that may be in a person’s way in the real world. Much of the time, these obstacles are like ones that may mean a large change for one’s self. It is hard to accept the change by not only oneself but also by family and friends. Heralds are the piece of the story that presents the change for the hero. The Herald acts like a messenger, telling the hero when it is time for change. “Heralds provide motivation, offer the hero a challenge, and get the story rolling” (56). Heralds may also be negative or neutral; they are not always a positive character.
The Shapeshifter is the character that the hero encounters that has drastic change in their personality. This character acts to keep the hero “guessing” (59) and questioning. A large part of the archetype for the shapeshifter is the animus, which is the “male element in the female unconscious,” (60). The Shadow character acts as the dark side. These characters are usually the villains, antagonists, or enemies. Many of the times the shadow represents feelings that are held down. These characters create conflict and bring out the best in the hero. Shadows are at best usually when they have a small amount of humanness in them. This may be a hint of goodness in the midst of their evil. The Ally acts as a companion to the hero. They aid and challenge the hero. The Trickster represents the need for change and mischief. The Tricksters many of the times bring the hero down to Earth and in perspective. They also serve as comic relief.

Reaction:
Reading through all these characters, I could easily see how they are portrayed in stories and how they relate to life. I now understand why I much of the time feel that small pang of compassion for the enemy in movies or books, because of their hint of humanness. I also could see how many of these characters are seen in different ways in real life. Many of the obstacles a person comes to in their life can be seen in the characters, such as the need for change called for by the hero, or the trickster not letting someone’s ego get too big. Because a person has these type of scenarios in their own life, this is what makes stories so interesting and relatable even when the plot line is nothing like in real life.

Questions:
1. How might the Threshold Guardian prohibit the hero from moving forth? Are there instances where the hero never get pass the Threshold Guardian?
2. Are these characters always able to find relations with people in real life if one looks hard enough?
3. Can some of these characters be absent, or one added and the story still is as relatable or interesting to the reader?

Vogler, Christopher, and Michele Montez. The Writer's Journey : Mythic Structure for Writers. Boston: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 49-80.

Disney or Fairytale creature like Me

The Disney character that is most like me would be Alice from Alice in Wonderland for several reasons. I am creative and love exploring and traveling. Alice proves her curiosity and love for exploring by going after the white rabbit into an unknown world. She is nice but pretty blunt about her feelings. Alice likes meeting new people and making new friends like the Cheshire cat, Mad hatter, and more. She also demonstrates she likes animals. She has a pet cat, and is chasing after a rabbit throughout the movie. She crosses the paths of many animals and shows interest in them.

This is all much like me. I love to find new things and learn. I love animals of all sorts give or take a few. I don't care for cats so much but I like them OK. Simply Alice's need for adventure and meeting new people is most like me. I love making new friends and meeting people. I also love to do new things that will give me new information about the world. Going places is an important aspect of living to me, traveling is very important. Alice and I have the same sense of what is important, like traveling, among other things. Creativity plays a big role in her acceptance of what is different and I love being creative and have grown up accepting all people, or trying my best to. All these aspects give me reason to believe that Alice and I are similar in multiple ways.