Vogler Annotation (p.127-141)

Analytical and Persuasive Writing
Annotated Bibliography
Vogler (p.127 – 141)
Rajeev Rupani

Vogler, Christopher. The Writer's Journey (Mythic Structure for Writers). 3rd ed. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 127-141.

Summary:

Vogler proceeds to discuss the fifth and sixth stages of the Hero’s journey in this reading. He describes the Crossing of the First Threshold as ‘an act of the will in which the hero commits wholeheartedly to the adventure’. Vogler then discusses how this ‘act of will’ is usually brought about by an external force or happens during the ‘turning point’ of the story, where the Villain archetype is involved. The Threshold Guardian archetype is then re-introduced and discussed in detail, with Vogler outlining its primary purpose as a ‘test’ in the ‘training of any hero’. Vogler then implies the Crossing as being the ‘border of the two worlds’: the Ordinary World and the Special World. The act of crossing the First Threshold is referred to as a ‘leap of faith’ by Vogler, from which there is no turning back. This leap does not always lead to a soft landing for the Hero as they ‘may crash in the other world, literally or figuratively’. After the Hero has entered the Special World of adventure, Vogler discusses this initial period of ‘adjustment’ in the sixth stage of the journey: Tests, Allies and Enemies.

When the Hero enters the Special World, he or she is a ‘freshmen’ in this new world according to Vogler. The writers test the Hero and prepare them for ‘greater ordeals’ in the future, through the Special World. Another important function of the sixth stage, as described by Vogler, is for the hero to make Allies and Enemies. Through the discussion of these two character types Vogler implies that these meetings test’s whether the ‘hero is a good judge of character’. An Ally can be a circumstantial assistant or a general helper (known as the ‘sidekick’) and can also provide comical relief for the audience when needed. The Enemy character-type can perform the function of the Shadow, the Trickster, the Threshold Guardian and the Herald, as long as they create obstacles for the Hero in this Special World. The Rival is described by Vogler as a special type of Enemy who competes with the Hero in every aspect. Once the Hero has learnt the ‘new rules of the Special World’, he or she often heads to the ‘watering hole’ (a common area) to find companions for crossing through, getting information or acquiring a love interest. The basic purpose of this stage is to introduce the audience to the new characters involved in the Hero’s journey (Allies and Enemies) and provide a platform for the characters to get ‘acquainted’ with one another.

Reaction:

I really enjoyed reading the discussion that Vogler presented on the above two stages of the Hero’s journey. I could personally relate to the description of the Crossing of the First Threshold because of similar elements within my memoir. The discussion of the Hero being ‘pushed over the brink’ in order to begin the adventure (by the Villain) can often be related to the extreme problems that I faced in high school, due to my stammering, which led to my visitations with a speech therapist. This can also be related to the struggle of the common man against extreme problems that can often force someone into a violent criminal act, in which case the adventure can actually harm others (basically a ‘do or die’ situation). I was able to understand most of the concepts put forth by Vogler, within this reading because he referred to many of the archetypes that we had already discussed in previous chapters and in the classroom (as done before). The analogy of the ‘Rough Landing’ of the hero into the Special World can be literally seen in the movie Cast Away and the disorientation of the passage can be associated with the Hero experiencing too quick of a change in his/her surrounding. For example, the nauseous feeling associated with a roller-coaster ride often comes from the person being subjected to various different surrounding too quickly.

I did not have much to react to or to differ with for the next stage discussed by Vogler: Tests, Allies and Enemies. I pretty much agreed with his ideas and did discover one stereotype that could be associated with the ‘Watering Hole’ concept. I have often seen this bar scene in many male-orientated movie, where the Hero often picks fight with some ‘bad’ guy (can turn out to be introduction of Enemy) and unintentionally gets cast into the limelight. This can be associated with the alpha male stereotype of establishing dominance over the other males or introducing himself to the Special World with a ‘bang’ (as done in most Western movies). These two stages are very important in the Hero’s journey because they display the first few ‘baby steps’ that the Hero takes into (and within) this Special World and allow the audience to undergo a period of adjustment to their new surroundings, along with the Hero.

Questions:

1. What other good analogies can be used to relate the Crossing of the First Threshold, to our real life (other than the one given in Vogler)?

2. Why would Vogler describe the ‘passage to the Special World’ (p.130) as ‘frustrating’ for the hero? In what context would this statement make sense?

3. Why do you think the ‘watering hole’ concept is so evidently portrayed in most of our movies and novels today?