The Ordinary World and The Call to Adventure

    In "The Ordinary World" and "The Call to Adventure," Vogler describes the most important elements that must be incorporated in these stages of the journey. The most crucial part to an epic story is the introduction to the character and current setting, which takes place in the ordinary world. Vogler emphasizes the hero's entrance, introduction, and identification as necessary components that further the audience's or reader's understanding of the character. These are often conveyed through symbolism and metaphors. In addition, through identifying with the hero, we gain insight into what will conspire in the story and what challenges the hero may face. Here the theme begins to take shape and remains constant throughout the rest of the story. Once the writer has made the hero's disposition clear, the call to adventure is often the next stage in the hero's journey. Here the transition from the ordinary world to the special world begins with a trigger or catalyst brought on by the hero's predicament. Vogler points out that the call can be self motivated or triggered by another character or situations, such as temptation or synchronicity. In order to describe these stages, Vogler poses questions that require the reader to think critically about the roles these different elements play in their own writing.

    The part of Vogler's analysis of the two stages, ordinary world and call to adventure, that caught my attention was his mention of symbolism and metaphors in creating the theme and character of the hero and the nature of the journey. As we view in many trailers, there are only a few scenes that are presented, which give the viewer or reader enough clues to know what the story will be about. For example, in a trailer about the Wizard of Oz we may see Dorothy's house being swept away by the storm or the wicked witch on the screen. These symbols clue us into the conflict that may arise in the story.

    I believe it is very important to create a preview or trailer of a story in order to make sure it has all the essential elements of the hero's journey. I found in trying to create a summary of my story, I was missing a climax of conflict, where I explain what will happen if I fail my mission. As Vogler explains, what is at stake is a very important element to a story. In addition, through Vogler's description of symbolism in stories, I now see how a symbol can serve as a better way of conveying a quality or problem or situation. I feel that symbols are universally understood and are a useful tool for conveying complexities that are happening within a story. In particular, I would like to find a way to incorporate more symbolism and metaphors into my story so I can better express what is happening between the characters and me, because it is hard for me to explain it to my audience through words.

    

Questions:
1. Would it be possible to tell a personal story through the use of fairy tale creation?
2. Does the hero create the theme of the story or is the theme already created?
3. Could you say that exposition is the most crucial element to telling a story?