Vogler Response # 4

Book II from Vogler is introduced with a chapter on "The Ordinary World" followed by a brief chapter about the "The call to Adventure". It is important to start with a good title, because Vogler says that this sets the mood. When i write stories i like to start off with a powerful image that is lasting in the minds of my readers, Vogler admits that this is a powerful writing mechanism and should be implored to start your story off on the right foot. But what do we get away from the story or what are we suppose to learn? This is called raising the "dramatic question" such as will ET ever make it back home. External obstacles are visibly apparent in most stories because they act as the conflict that needs to be resolved, but Vogler states that there are also internal problems that the hero must deal with, but many writers neglect this facet of storytelling. The call to adventure basically outlines how the story will get rolling. The call to adventure will usually come in the form of a messege, so this is where the archetype of the herald comes into play, and plays an integral role in getting the story moving.
I really enjoy the comparisons that Vogler makes in this book, because through cinema it is much easier to relate certain concepts relating to the hero's journey. I feel like Vogler guides us through everything we should expect in the archetype of the hero, and basically outlines the story for us. I liked the part when he was talking about that the hero's journey was done so to restore a wounded psyche, because when we start out on something at most times were just trying to help ourselves. Vogler has given me some good ideas on different ways to take my story to give it greater depth.
Reading Vogler while writing my draft has been a good experience, because vogler has pinpointed all the key characteristics of a good story. My problem is that i have become bogged down trying to fit all these pieces together, and my story will become overwhelmed. I do not know which ones to keep in and which ones to let go. Vogler mentions the importance of a Theme in your story, and for the life of me i can't figure out if i have ne as of yet. I think this is one necessary element that i need for my story, so might have to shift the mood to give it a specific ambiance.

1. What is the ordinary world in your story
2. Whats voglers fascination with Joseph Campbell
3. i alway thought as premise as a synopsis and not a theme, how are they similar then?

Vogler Response #3

Vogler concludes book one of "The Writer's Journey" by illustrating the characteristics of the remaining archetypes which are essential to a hero's journey, and they are the threshold guardian, the herald, the shapeshifter, the shadow, the ally and the trickster. Vogler continues to make the point that archetypes do no mean characters, but can represent different things in a story, Vogler also maintains that a character has the power to possess more than one of these archetypes at a time and can shift from one to another. I have been watching batman all weekend so i liked the parallel they drew with Alfred acting both as a Ally and a mentor, and how in many case they go together.
I think the main point Vogler is trying to make is that their is an array of different characters who represent different things, things which have become integral in the structure of stories for hundreds of years. I think that stories only change based on the combinations that the archetypes provide, just to draw contrast, how different would the story be between the mentor being an ally and the mentor being a shapeshifter. The way i see it is that all the pieces are infront of you, but the author has the power to jumble them all up, and give dual personas to characters and objects, which in turn leads to a new story. Vogler writes using good examples which are easy to interpret and distinguish.
Everything Vogler has been writing about is important as we draft our first papers in this class. It teaches us a structure to follow that makes the writing process easier. I always feel like its easier to write a paper if i have loads of prewriting notes infront of me detailing step by step how i should go about things. I found in interesting that Eve from adam and eve was listed under a potential femme fatale, i thought that was a little extreme. But Vogler has good examples of the classic archetypes and by relating them to movie and cartoon characters, its easier to decipher what he is talking about.

1. how can some act as both a shadow and a mentor?
2. why was so little said about the trickster? and what more could be said?
3. can the hero also possess the characteristics of the archetypes?
2.

Archetypes

Vogler uses this chapter to explore the concept of the "Archetype", which was introduced in the first chapter in relation with Joseph Campbell. Vogler identifies eight distinct archetypes that are integral to the hero's journey; and they are the Hero, the mentor, the threshold guardian, the herald, the shapeshifter, the shadow and the trickster. The way vogler described the role of archetype i felt that they were more focused on the actions of an individual rather than the individual themselves. Archetypes in this instance are roles that an actor can take on, having one or multiple. In the case of the Herald, this archetype can be displayed through nature like a thunderstorm or earthquake, announcing some significant change. Archetypes are often important to a story's plot and provide wisdom to the protagonist.
I honestly didn't know that the books second chapter was based of archetypes, so i was initially shocked to read about them after i brought up a brief discussion regarding them a week back. I still feel like i am a little shakey on the concept of an archetype. I guess i have always associated them with a stereotype, but that sounds bad. I feel like an archetype is a character who has been over simplified to the greatest degree. Jung is known for advancing the idea of the archetype, but i think its been around so long that he can only be credited with revitalizing it. Archetypes have existed in stories and folklore for as long as who knows, all around a basic model. I feel like voglers breakdown of the archetypes was thorough, providing a diverse array of characteristics that come into play.
I spent my sunday recovering from gasparilla in bed watching the new batman movies on ec tv and it got me thinking about some of the archetypes vogler discusses and how perfectly they fit with the movies characters. Whether its a mentor who turns evil, or comic relief the players and parts are there. i feel like archetypes appear in every culture and every society, and they survive through the generations. is the plight of gilgamesh so much different then those of modern day heroes? i think not.

1. is an archetype a stereotype? and what is the difference?
2. do archetypes exist in the real world?
3.do jung and campbell conflict on ideas?

Response to Vogler

Before i start i realize that it is past the deadline but i could not get my internet or moodle to function...

Vogler starts off writing about Joseph Campbells book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" as one of the most influential books of the century. Personally i remember Campbells writing on myths from a world literature class in high school, and my teacher mr. delo who had a sticker beneath his podium with campbells catchphrase "follow your bliss". Vogler writes how myths and the art of storytelling are apparent through hollywood movies. Vogler states that "the storyteller bends mythic pattern to their own accord, and this is why the hero has a thousand faces". Vogler proposes that there are 12 stages to a heros journey, all of which are necessary to the story. Storytelling has always been an important part of our culture, and over time a pattern to these myths has developed which is used to tell stories ranging from the "simple" to the "complex".
I really like what Vogler did with the composition of this piece. I like that so many examples from movies were used, because sadly movies have replaced books. But the art of storytelling still remains, and complex stories have been weaved into the cinematic garbage that compiles every year. This passage was reasonably short and easy to understand, and Vogler clearly composed his ideas through numerous examples relating to the 12 stages of the heros journey.
I really like the idea of a myth, and enjoy reading them. Based on Voglers reading it is clear that the hero's journey has alot of important steps to it that must be addressed in order for the hero to triumph. I think that the basic premise of a myth has long been established, but what changes is the individual authors own variation on that myth that changes. Stories may seem similar but they are not, they are merely based on archetypes that have long been established in our culture. At times however, i do believe that myths become predictable, and where is the fun in that?

1. What are some classic archetypes that exist in our society today?
2. Why is their a lack of female "mentors"?
3.Can more be added to the 12 stages of a heros journey?

My Childhood Hero

Although he is not off this planet, my favorite character growing up was E.T. the extra terrestrial. I really liked that movie alot from the first time i saw it, but had a hard time getting to watch it because my younger brother was afraid. E.T. followed most of the stages based off of Voglers reading for a hero's journey. He came from another world, made friends, enemies, encountered obstacles and finally made it back home. E.T. also intrigued me because he had the power to heal and bring things back to life, and i think this has influenced me towards living a more humanitarian lifestyle, helping out others.