Vogler Annotation (p.83-105)

Analytical and Persuasive Writing
Annotated Bibliography
Vogler (p.83 – 105)
Rajeev Rupani

Vogler, Christopher. The Writer's Journey (Mythic Structure for Writers). 3rd ed. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 83-105.

Summary:


In this reading Vogler discusses the first two stages of the Hero’s journey in detail: The Ordinary World and The Call to Adventure. Vogler describes the Ordinary World as the ‘world of common day’ and explains that it is a very delicate time as it sets the premise and tone for the rest of the story. Vogler then goes on to discuss the method of introducing the reader or viewer to the Ordinary World of the hero and how the storyteller must face ‘creative choices’, even before the story actually begins. The title can provide a ‘important clue’ to the reader about the nature of the story, the opening image can ‘suggest where the story is going’ and the prologue can provide an ‘essential piece of the back story’. Vogler then goes into the importance of the structure of the Ordinary World and how it must be described as a ‘home base’ for the hero, to which the Special World of adventure can be compared. The concept of foreshadowing is also discussed where the writer foretells the audience about a latter battle or moral dilemma, by depicting a similar event in the Ordinary World. The inner and outer problems of the hero are then shown to be a key to proving the hero’s worth to the audience, by establishing sympathy. The entrance of a hero, as discussed by Vogler, is an important event in the story because it portrays their ‘attitude, emotional state, background, strengths and problems’; along with helping the audience establish a relationship with the hero.


Vogler then describes the various aspects that writers can use to create an ‘identification’ between the hero and audience: the lack of something important in the hero’s life or something that is taken away from them, some sort of a tragic flaw (such as arrogance) and the concept of a wounded hero. The stakes in the story are also shown to be very important, as they are a good measure of the importance of the entire adventure. The method of conveying the back-story of the hero’s life, the exposition, is also explained to be among the ‘hardest writing skills to master’. Vogler completes the discussion of the Ordinary World by describing how the theme of a story can be stated here, even without formally informing the audience, which then sets up the course of the story to come.


Vogler then discusses the Call to Adventure, which is basically described as the ‘catalyst’ that sets events in motion once the hero has been introduced. The concept of synchronicity is then discussed where the hero encounters a string of accidents or coincidences that calls them to adventure. These accidents or events can include temptation, encountering the herald archetype character or reconnaissance by the villain into the hero’s territory. Vogler clearly explains that this Call to Adventure can also be ‘unsettling and disorientating’ to the hero, if it comes in the form of a loss in the hero’s Ordinary World, such as the death of a dear one. The hero is also shown to have no options in some circumstances or is simply ‘shanghaied’ into adventure. Vogler finishes this discussion by introducing the concept of multiple calls to adventure or ‘call waiting’, where the hero can choose between several calls depending on his or her level of interaction in the story.


Reaction:


This reading was very smooth and simple because of the preceding archetype chapters as many of these were actually included in the first two stages. The herald, hero and shadow archetype were discussed, in context to the stages in the hero’s journey. I agreed with most of Vogler’s points and could relate to the story that he was portraying, while discussing the two stages (about the tribe). I could understand his emphasis on the contrast between the Ordinary and the Special world, where the underlying theme was that they have to be different in relation to the hero. For example, the Ordinary, simple and family-orientated world of Don Corleone is significantly different than his Special, dark and crime-driven world. I did not agree with Vogler’s discussion about foreshadowing because it would in a way make it very cliché and boring for the reader who can actually deduce the premise of the story, given this clue. However, if the aim of the storyteller is to mislead the audience with this ‘foreshadow’, then it would be a good setup for a dramatic ‘twist in the tale’.


I could also relate to the ‘flat and un-involving ‘ heroes in the form of Prince Charming from Shrek 2 and 3, since he does not relate to the audience in any other way than a fake and expressionless hero. Also, the identification between the audience and the hero allows the writer to justify the wrongs done by the hero, such as the character of Robin Hood (as discussed in class). I could also see the origin of the ‘so what’ discussion in our Project I memoir, where we need to establish the stakes with the audience. I did not have many thoughts on the Call to Adventure section as I completely agreed with Vogler’s discussion about a needed ‘catalyst’ in the hero’s Ordinary World. I do believe that these two introductory stages are vital in setting up a solid platform for the upcoming story.


Questions:

1. How does the concept of a tragic flaw relate to you? What were your thoughts on the word Nemesis before you had read Vogler? Knowing this definition, have you ever played a Nemesis role in your own life?

2. Relating to the ‘so what’ reaction discussed in Vogler, how would you go about establishing the stakes in your memoir for Project 1? How would you emphasize on the importance of your journey and the values learnt from it? Is this usually the most difficult point to get across to your audience?

3. Have you ever experienced the concept of ‘call waiting’ while reading a story or watching a movie? How does one choose their call to adventure and what do you think are the important aspects that should be kept in mind while making such as choice?