Annotation 6

Crossing the Threshold and Tests, Allies, Enemies

Summary
Crossing the threshold is the ultimate crossing into the special world. The threshold symbolizes the point of no return, kind of like the moment when you are on a rollercoaster and it begins to move. Typically, the hero requires some sort of shove to cross the threshold, for example a person that is very close to him may be murdered, captured or hurt in some way. Just before crossing the threshold there is often a threshold guardian the hero must deal with. Once the hero has crossed the threshold, we are finally immersed and introduced to the special world. In the beginning, the parameters of the special world need to be established quickly and this is the use of the “Tests, Allies, Enemies” section of a story. The tests work to establish the rules of the world and hone the hero’s skills towards being in the special world. Also, in the beginning, the hero will meet some allies that will aid him/her in the special world and will surely encounter their enemies as well.

Reaction
Because every story does indeed need the “special world”, “crossing the threshold” I would argue is a necessity in every story. In the “Tests, Allies, Enemies” section Vogler brings up the bar or saloon. This is another recurring theme throughout his books, is that a bar seems to be a very useful dramatic element and his arguments for this make sense. They can be representative of the “watering hole” where creatures naturally congregate; therefore they are an excellent location to learn the parameters and circumstances of the special world.

Reflection
I can think of no story where “Crossing the Threshold” does not exist. Even in my own “making sense” piece used an exact type of threshold that Vogler describes in the book, “Do I go on living my life as I always have, or will I risk everything in the effort to grow and change?”. Although my wording in my story was not this exactly, the situation was exactly the same. Even in “The Metamorphisis,” this is evident. The crossing happens in the beginning of the story, when Gregor realizes that he is no longer the same form as he once was and chooses to accept it and make do with his new situation.

Annotation 5

Summary
After the Normal World and the Call to Adventure we come to two more related points in the hero’s journey, those being The Refusal of the Call and the Meeting with the Mentor. The Refusal is meant to set a point in the journey that sets up the dangers involved with continuing on the journey. There are several types of refusals, for example the hero can give weak excuses, avoid, be willing, refuses persistently or there can be conflicting calls to adventure. Immediately after the refusal, sometimes during it, is the point in the journey when the hero will meet with the mentor. Probably the most important occurrence here is that the mentor usually gives the hero some sort of gift that will help the hero on their journey.
Reaction
There was one category that Vogler mentioned which is the persistent refusal of the call and how this always has to end in tragedy. This makes sense and it seems that it could be the entire story in itself. For example, the result if you are always too cowardly to take a risk. Another interesting aspect from this section was the fact the mentor has to always give something useful. Perhaps in dramatic stories this has to always be true, however, I do not think it has to be in every good story. Although, Vogler had made it clear quite a few times that every aspect of the Hero’s Journey does not have to be present.

Reflection
These two parts of the journey are very easy to spot in famous stories. For example in Star Wars, when Obi Wan initially tries to convince Luke he is met with refusal, even after giving him the gift. Only after the murder of his caretakers did he embark on the journey. In the stories that we have read for class these are not so apparent. In “The Metamorphosis” I would say the hero was willing and therefore did not experience the typical Refusal. He awoke in his strange state and decided that he was going to make do with it and continue about his normal day with this strange state that he was now in.