Vogler Annotated Bib 3

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

Edition. Threshold Guardian. Herald. Shapeshifter. Shadow. Ally. Trickster.

Studio City. Michael Weise Productions. 2007.

Annotation
The Archetypes in a Hero’s journey serve many purposes in a story. There are Archetype characters that fulfill needs, desires and requirements within the story. The Threshold Guardian Archetype is a character that is used to test the hero. The Guardian will present the hero with obstacles. The Herald Archetype announces the coming of change. The Herald “gets the story rolling.” The Shapeshifter is a character whose loyalty and sincerity are constantly being called into question. Usually the Shapeshifter in a story is the opposite sex of the hero but not always. A Shadow can be a character or inside the hero such as repressed emotions. The Shadow is usually seen as a dark side. Allies are companions of a hero. They serve a variety of functions that aid the Hero. Tricksters embody mischief. They bring about healthy change or transformation. All of these Archetypes have to do with change. That is the constant string that weaves the Archetypes all together. They are all there for the purpose of change in a Hero’s journey.


Reflection
I. Threshold Guardian
A. Function
1. placed to keep the unworthy from entering or advancing
2. symbiotic relationship between villain and a Threshold Guardian
3. temporarily blocks the way of the hero and tests his/her powers
4. can be a character, prop, architectural feature, animal, or force of nature
B. Psychological Function
1. Neuroses
2. may represent the ordinary obstacles we all face in the world around us
3. they stand for our internal demons
C. Dramatic Function
1. testing the hero
II. Herald
A. Function
1. issues challenges and announces the coming of significant change
2. may be a person or a force
3. may be a positive, negative, or neutral figure
B. Psychological Function
1. announcing the need for change
C. Dramatic Function
1. provide motivation, offer the hero a challenge, and get the story rolling

III. Shapeshifter
A. Function
1. nature is unstable
2. change constantly
3. usually the opposite sex
4. loyalty and sincerity are often in question
5. catalyst for change
6. a symbol of the psychological urge to transform
B. Psychological Function
1. Animus
a. the male element in the female unconscious
b. the positive and negative images of masculinity in a woman’s dreams and fantasies
2. Anima
a. the female element in the male unconscious
3. manifested in dreams
4. Projection
a. projection of desire
C. Dramatic Function
1. to bring doubt and suspense into a story
2. “femme fatale”
3. “hommes fatales”
E. Mask
1. sometimes a hero must become a Shapeshifter to escape a trap or get past a Threshold Guardian
2. Shapeshifting is also a natural attribute of other archetypes such as Mentors and Tricksters
IV. Shadow
A. Function
1. represents the energy of the dark side, the unexpressed, unrealized or rejected aspects of something
2. negative face is projected as villains, antagonists or enemies
3. may be a character or force external to the hero, or it may be a deeply repressed part of the hero
B. Psychological Function
1. can represent the power of repressed feelings
2. stands for psychoses that not only hamper us, but threaten to destroy us
C. Mask of the Shadow
D. Humanizing the Shadow
V. Ally
A. Functions
1. companion, partner, conscience, comic relief
2. humanize the heroes, adding extra dimensions to their personalities or challenging them to be more open and balanced
3. explain the unfamiliar or unknown
4. suggest alternate paths for problem-solving and help to round out the personalities of the hero
B. Multiple Allies
C. Introduction to Special World
D. Western Allies: Sidekicks
E. Non-Human Allies
F. Animal Allies
G. Allies From Beyond the Grave
H. Helpful Servants
I. Psychological Function
1. might represent the unexpressed or unused parts of the personality that must be brought into action to do their jobs
VI. Trickster
A. Function
1. embodies the energies of mischief and desire for change
2. (T Heroes) often catalyst characters who affect the lives of other but are unchanged themselves
B. Psychological Function
1. bring heroes and audiences down to earth
2. bring about healthy change and transformation
3. natural enemies of the status quo
C. Dramatic Function
1. comic relief
D. Trickster Heroes


Questions
1. Explain the Animus and Anima more clearly and cite specific examples.
2. The word ‘Trickster’ has a negative connotation. Is that the original context of the word?
3. Are Shapeshifters always “bad”?