strength vs weakness

After reviewing my peer comments i have come to the conclusion that my strengths are my choice of topic and the point of view that i am going to convey.  My weakness is that i need to have a lot of detail and support, and also to show both sides of the story.  

annotation 10/20/08

Alot goes on in stage seven of Vogler's text. It is in this stage that the hero approaches the inner most cave, which almost always occurs after the hero has entered through into the new world. It is during this time that the hero makes plans and observes the enemy he or she is to face. Along with observations, this is often a time of romance or "courtship" for the hero to experience. Within a story there are several paths a hero can choose when approaching, the hero can approach it bravely and strong or he/she may be unsure and a bit frightful. There will be a high probability that the hero will have to over come several obstacles in order to make it to the end of their journey to the cave. It may seem unfair, but the hero has to work for what they want and earn what they get. During this time the hero may change his/her mind or the path they have chosen to take, but in the end one must face their fears. The ordeal, which can be mistaken for the climax, is a crisis stage. In this stage the hero faces death in some form, this doesn't always have to be physically. The hero them self does not have to die, they could be a witness to a death or cause one, or it could even be a certain ego of the hero that dies.

I think that the innermost cave creates for an interesting destination in the story. In many fairytales, the ending is the reaching of the innermost cave, a castle or a great land. Also it seems to me that the ordeal doesn't always have to be a stage of crisis, that the ordeal is everything in the journey that leads up to the climax point in the story. Lastly, i don't think that every hero should have to face a death, why can't a hero just conquer without death being a factor? It would be much more peaceful for the villian or enemy to simply disappear rather than to have to die.

1.What is your innermost cave
2.What do you think an ordeal in a story is
3. Can you think of any hero's journey where there is no inner most cave?

annotaion 10/13/08

Crossing the First Threshold is explained at the end of part one of the story. In this part of the story is where the first threshold is compared to the when a plane's wheels start the take off to get a journey started. The hero in the story is committing fully to the adventure, there are no second thoughts or hindering done when the call to adventure is presented, and there is no turning back after the threshold. Some thresholds are very external where as others are internal events, an example is Ordinary People. Although these are two options, some thresh holds are a combination of both external and internal. Also in many instances when the hero reaches the guardian of the threshold this is presented as a test to the hero. Obviously when the hero passes through the first threshold and heads into the Special World there has to be a contrast between the past and the future, the Ordinary World and the Special World. There must be a "different feel, a different rhythm, different priorities and values, and different rules." Next is when the hero will run into tests and trials. These events are placed in order to ready and prepare the hero for what comes next. Due to these tests, there are allies and enemies that are introduced. The allies aid in giving guidance and advice throughout the journey. Many allies are considered to be “sidekicks” to the hero, and they often give the story a humorous effect even though the hero stays more serious throughout the adventure. Obviously enemies arise within the story which are usually though a chain of events and are usually underlings of a certain villain.

Response:
I think that it is entirely necessary for the contrast between the past and present or it wouldn’t be relatable to the public readers. Also it is very true that once one has created allies they then run into enemies and challenges that they will need their “sidekick” to be there for them. It is interesting to me though that the allies are usually seen as humorous and they are also supposed to guide and keep the hero on the right track. To me, this is confusing, I think it would be hard as a hero to take my partner serious if they are always humorous.
Questions:
1. Would you find it hard to be a hero with a non serious ally
2. In the story would you rather be the hero or the ally
3. Can you think of an example where the hero is the humorous one

10/6/08

Annotation for Vogler:
In this excerpt, Vogler brings into account the refusal to the call of adventure. He states that in some hero stories and myths, the heros are not always totally willing to accept their call to adventure. Vogler establishes the fact that in many cases the hero of the story finds many reasons and excuses as to why he/she cannot or should not accept the call. If often times takes the encouragement and the pushing of a mentor for the hero of the story to finally accept the call and pursue the adventure. He also brings up that the constant refusal and denial to the call usually has the potential to result in tragedy in the story. Vogler also makes a point that some stories present the hero with a conflict. A conflict between calls, which one to choose, which one not to choose, and this creates controversy in a story. Never the less there is always that hero who is a "willing hero", one who is just extremely eager to accept the call to adventure, as pointed out in the Vogler's reading. It is encouraging though, to here of the major prescence of mentors to heros. He points out that the mentors in many stories are doctors or heavenly gods, and that in almost all cases the hero always has someone that they look to for advice and for help.
Response:
I think that it was completely necessary for Vogler to point out that heros are not always so eager and so willing. By doing so, it allows for the reader to relate more to the hero. Showing that the hero is sometimes hesitant gives the hero human qualities that everyone possesses so it is easier to relate to. Also i feel that it was vital for him to bring up the necessary mentors. It declares that a hero is not always so strong and dominant alone; that a hero also needs someone to look to for advice and a shoulder to lean on.

1. Can you think of a heroic story where the hero did not have a mentor?
2. Does not at first accepting the call mean that a hero is not always truly strong and brave?
3. Can you think of an example where a true hero was weak?

3 edits:
correct the use of commas and semi colons
extend the "its"
subsitute same words
3 revise's:
length of paragraphs
use more detail
better conclusion and opening