Vogler Annotation p.197-228

Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers." Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998 p. 197-228.

Summary:
In The Resurrection of a story the hero comes to the final climax, which is the "last and most dangerous meeting with death" (197). This section acts as the purifaction of the hero before his or her return to the Ordinary World. The hero may refind themself or a new personality may go into play. This may be a result of cleansing or past ordeals. The death and rebirth of tragic heroes are the resurrected. A place of resurrection may involve a climax with choice for the hero; he or she may face a challenge or unexpected choices and be forced to choose a certain path. Choices may involve romance. The Climax may involve "different levels of awareness" that involve mind, body, and emotion (202). The climax acts as a purifying emotional release for the hero. The last chance gives the hero a final attempt to change attitude or behavior. The resurrection can also be a time for a wrong choice or path. This can be a physical event or an inner challenge with the hero.
Following the Resurrection of the Hero's Journey is the Return with the Elixir. The elixir is the new item that shows their journey and new self as proof and to share with others. A story weaves and knots plot-work together to create conflict and drama. This is what makes subplots so important. A story may also be a circular story where there is a "sense of closure and completion" (216). The opposite is the open ended story form in which leaves a few possibly desired loose ends. The return with the Elixir can fall flat if the plot is resolved too orderly or is predictable. A twist or surprise may help to get around a flat ending.

Reaction:
I thought Vogler went into extreme depth of all the kinds of endings to a story in the Return with the Elixir chapter. I felt he was dead on in how the reader feels with each different kind. This chapter opened my eyes to just how many different branches there are to ending a story. This part seems to be a key part of the story, leaving the final impression on the reader. The resurrection was a little dry but still very helpful. It went into the climax and how the hero may have choices. I had not thought about the choices being a part of the resurrection and found that very interesting. I also had not come across the idea that there are different levels of awareness that involved the mind body and emotion.


Questions:
1. Could the Resurrection be skipped over, or would that leave out too much of the climax of the story?
2. At which of the two chapters is there the most heightened suspense generally? Can it switch between the two?
3. If the hero doesn't return with an elixir does the reader feel less satisfied?