Vogler Annotated Bibliography #5

Vogler, Christopher. “Book Two: Stage Three: Refusal of the Call and Stage Four: Meeting with the Mentor”. The Writers Journey. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998. 107-125.

Summary
    The third stage of the Hero’s Journey is the “Refusal to the Call”. This stage is where the hero hesitates to continue on their journey and tries to avoid the “Call to Adventure” from the previous stage. Heroes that do not refuse the call to adventure are rare and are called “willing heroes”. Usually in the case of “willing heroes”, the refusal stage is represented by other characters who have previously refused to do what the hero is doing. This is the stage in which the archetype of the Threshold Guardian can be introduced, as they can further deter the hero before they even start on the journey. The Mentor archetype can also occur at this point, either apart, along side, or even doubling as the Mentor and Threshold Guardian. The “Refusal of the Call” functions in stories “to let the audience know the formidability of the challenges ahead” (113).
After the “Refusal to the Call”, come the fourth stage of the Hero’s Journey, “Meeting with the Mentor”. In this stage “the hero gains the supplies, knowledge, and confidence needed to overcome fear and commence the adventure” (117). The mentor archetype serves to prepare the hero for what is to come on their journey. However, the mentor does not always have to be positive and can even be misleading to the hero. Not all mentors follow the archetype of being helpful, insightful, and caring towards the hero. Mentors serve the purpose of getting “things rolling with gifts, encouragement, guidance, or wisdom” (123).

Reaction
    It is interesting how Vogler makes a point to mention “avoiding mentor clichés” (120). When I think of a mentor my mind automatically goes to the “wise old man (or woman)” stereotype that Vogler is referring to when he mentions clichés. It is very clear that the mentor can be one of the most fleeting characters in the Hero’s Journey, yet at the same time one the most important. Another point that is very interesting is how mentors can be “evolved heroes” (122). After completing the heroes Journey themselves, a hero can turn around and turn into a mentor as they help a new hero go through what they themselves already did. I like how Vogler even mentions using mentors in real life when facing problems with writing, such as a writer’s block.

Questions
1. Why is the “Refusal to the Call” so important to stories that even if the hero does not experience it, another character does?
2. What is an example of a “mentor driven story”? Where the journey is built around the thoughts and actions of the mentor?
3. Can a story benefit from having more than one mentor?