Vogler annotated Bibliography

Cameron Bradley

Annotated Bibliography

 

Vogler, Christopher. The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. Studio City:

Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.

 

 

Summary

 

            The second half of the first stage chapter focuses more on other types of archetypes in literature.  These are the threshold guardian, herald, shape shifter, shadow, ally, and trickster.  Each of these archetypes can either work alongside the hero or become an obstacle for the hero.  There are also different personality types that represent each of these archetypes.  Adding these archetypes to a story can add dramatic effect to the tale. 

 

            Personalities differ from each archetype.  The threshold guardian usually works alongside the antagonist or anti-hero of a story.  There can be multiple guardians to become obstacles for the hero on his path to the villain.  The herald is a character that announces change in the story.  Heralds give motivation to the hero to show a change of heart or objective.  Anyone who affects the hero, positively or negatively, can be a herald. 

 

            The next two types archetypes are shape shifter and shadow.  The shape shifter brings drama into the story.  The heroes’ feelings are relayed onto the shape shifter.  Love is one of the main emotions portrayed by the shape shifter.  The shadow creates negative feelings for the hero.  Shadows can put a hero through many tests that bring out the best in him or her. 

 

            The final two types are the ally and the trickster.  Allies can accompany the hero by giving the hero a helping hand.  An ally can takes many forms such as a human, animal, or force from nature.  Allies can have one or many skills that assist the hero in an obstacle.  The tricksters are mostly in a story for comical relief.  The tension created is numbed down to a slower pace. 

 

Reaction

 

Threshold guardians seem to be characters put in a story not of their own free will.  Heralds help move the story along by forcing the hero to make a personality change.  Shape shifters just bring more drama in the story to test where the heroes’ true feelings are.  Shadows show the darkest part of a heroes’ heart.  Allies re the most help to the hero because they have skills that can help the hero both psychologically and physically.  Tricksters seem to be tension reducers that keep the hero, and a bored audience, from going insane. 

 

Questions

 

1.     What are some of the many forms a ally can take besides an animal or human?

2.     Can a villain perform without a threshold guardian?

3.     At what stages do these archetypes usually show up in a story?

 

Terms

1. Strife- noun- vigorous or bitter conflicts, discord, or antagonism

The husband finally obtained a divorce from the strife of his evil wife. 

 

2. Catalyst- noun- something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected

The little boy did not want to become a catalyst in the argument between his friends. 

 

3. Subtleties-noun- delicacies or nicety of character or meaning

The patient was overwhelmed from the subtleties of the blood donors.