Vogler Reading 4

Key Points:

Throughout our last assigned Vogler reading he discussed the Ordinary World. The Ordinary World is the context and background of the hero. Storytellers have to put a lot of creativity into the “before” image of the movie or book. They need to worry about first impressions of titles, opening images, and even prologues. Writers use foreshadowing to give the story a poetic or rhythmic design. Vogler also discusses the need for every hero to have both an inner and an outer problem. Audiences enjoy seeing characters growing and learning as they learn to handle the ups and downs of their inner and outer problems of life. The entrance of a character into a story is something important that the writer needs to take into account. What the hero’s are lacking is always crucial throughout the storyline. Sometimes they have lost a family member, but often something is missing from the hero’s personality. Every hero also has tragic flaws; a common tragic flaw especially for Greek heroes is hubris. Storytellers often incorporate wounds into the hero’s character in hopes to humanize their character. A backstory is always necessary, as the audience needs all of the background information on the character to understand their situations at the beginning of the story. Vogler then discussed synchronicity, which is the “string of accidents or coincidences that could be the message that calls a hero to adventure.”

Reflection:

I was very interested in how Vogler could us the movie The Wizard Of Oz to relate to the differences between the ordinary and special world. I like when Vogler helps the reader further understand concepts by incorporating a movie or book that the majority of the readers have experienced. It helps to see where the terms come into effect and helps create a stronger image of the many ways the storyteller tries to relate the character traits to the audience.

Reaction:

I feel as if reading this book I am unconsciously taking in ideas of how to improve my own writing and imagination. Vogler really shows how the importance of display and the title play a key role in writing and it made me think more about how the titles of my pieces could always be more creative and even metaphorical. The introduction of character and the creativity that should come into play when thinking of the call to adventure are very important.

 

Questions:

I’m not sure I understand the concept of the Reconnaissance?

Is the entrance of the character really as important and Vogler makes it seem?