Vogler's Annotated Bibliography (Stage Three: Refusal of the Call & Stage Four: Meeting with the Mentor)

Vogler, Christopher. “Book Two: Stages of the Journey-Stage Three: Refusal of the Call & Stage Four: Meeting with the Mentor.” The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. 3rd Edition. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 107-126.

Summary

We have already talked about the Hero, his Ordinary World, and his Call to Adventure. Now it is time for the Hero to jump into a new world full of experiences and adventures he have never faced before. This decision to actually go and face a new world may be very hard for the Hero. The Refusal of the Call is when a Hero refuses to go into the Special World. At some point we are also refusing to jump into a new adventure, like college for example, because we are afraid that things are going to get hard or that we are still not ready for such a big change. According to Vogler, they refuse the call by listing a “laundry list” of weak excuses (108). However, sometimes it is smart to refuse some Calls that may not benefit us. There is also the case of some heroes that will accept the Call without thinking twice. Willing heroes do not hesitate or have any fears about new adventures (110).

When a Hero is uncertain about whether accepting, or refusing the call, they need advice and support from a wise person. A Mentor is the person in charge for protecting, guiding, teaching, testing, training, and providing magical gifts to the Hero (117). By meeting with the Mentor the Hero gains confidence, and has a better chance of accepting the Call to go into the Special World. It seems like the relationship between the Hero and the Mentor is very solid. However, when the Hero is ungrateful with the Mentor, then the Mentor-hero relationship can take a drastic turn (121). Mentors are not just people that were born with all the knowledge and experiences that they have. The can be regarded as heroes who have become experienced enough to teach others (122).

Reaction

I like how Vogler explains to us how the Hero may react after the Call to Adventure. I can put myself into the hero’s shoes, because when I received the Call that I was going to move to the United States I was very worried, and also scared things we going to go wrong. It is not easy to be in that situation where you have to think very smart about what are you going to do. I loved when Vogler’s said that the Hero lists a “laundry list” of weak excuses. That is very true, and I can relate to that because sometimes we do not want to do something new just because we are afraid of it since we have never experienced before. Mentors exist everywhere; they are here at Eckerd College, and I have one. When I think about a Mentor I visualize my mother, because she helps me with all my concerns, and helps me to make wise decisions in my life. I also liked a lot when Vogler stated that Mentors can be regarded as heroes who have become experienced enough to teach others. Mentors had also rough times while in their journey, and probably got help from other mentors. Those rough times made them gain new experiences and learn new things, so that they could be able to help others using the knowledge previously gained.

Questions:

1. What do you think is the main excuse that heroes have to refuse the Call?
2. Have you had any situation in your life where you refused a Call because it was not good at all, or it was for some other purpose?
3. Do you think mentors are important in our life? Why?