Friday, October 31, 2008
one good paragraph
In The Bell Jar, the main character, Esther, can be compared to the "hero" in Vogler's "Writer's Journey". Vogler describes a hero as having qualities that we can all identify with. We tend to think about heroes as being self-less, powerful, strong, and always wanting to help people. But for a character in a story to be a hero, he/she isn't required to save people from a fire or have special powers. They can be ordinary people that are driven by the same universal drives that we can all relate to. In The Bell Jar, Esther wants to grow up and be free. She is desperate to become a woman and to "mature". Her experience with sex for the first time was not exactly what she expected, but she is pleased with it. In chapters 19 & 20, Esther went through a big change in her life, therefore she went through most of the stages Vogler talks about in that small time period. This is why I would consider Esther to be the hero of the story.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Annotated Bibliography
Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers." Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998 p. 143-173
Summary:
Stage Seven is the approach to the inmost cave. This is the time at which the hero is about to finally encounter their adventure. They now make final preparations for their journey. An example is "a mountaineer who has raised themselves to a base camp by the labors of Testing, and are about to make the final assault on the highest peak." (Vogler, page 143) Some functions of the approach are courtship, the bold approach, preparation for the ordeal, obstacles, being beware of illusions, threshold guardians ect. Stage eight is the Ordeal. The simple secret of the Ordeal is the following: "Heroes must die so that they can be reborn." (Vogler, page 155) Once they visit death, they tend to return to the ordinary world changed and a new person. An experience that causes you to face death must change you in some way. The Ordeal is usually the most important event of the story.
Reaction:
In my opinion, the approach to the inmost cave must be the scariest step in the journey for the hero. They've made the decision to tackle whatever obstacle is in their way, and the time has now come. For me, it's like being at the first tee of my golf round. I've already committed to playing, and that's the time adrenaline and nerves take over. The Ordeal is also intense because the hero is facing death. I can't imagine coming that close to death.
Questions:
Have you ever experienced a life or death situation? If so, what was it? Did it change your life in any way?
Do nerves and adrenaline ever act as a positive? Give an example.
Summary:
Stage Seven is the approach to the inmost cave. This is the time at which the hero is about to finally encounter their adventure. They now make final preparations for their journey. An example is "a mountaineer who has raised themselves to a base camp by the labors of Testing, and are about to make the final assault on the highest peak." (Vogler, page 143) Some functions of the approach are courtship, the bold approach, preparation for the ordeal, obstacles, being beware of illusions, threshold guardians ect. Stage eight is the Ordeal. The simple secret of the Ordeal is the following: "Heroes must die so that they can be reborn." (Vogler, page 155) Once they visit death, they tend to return to the ordinary world changed and a new person. An experience that causes you to face death must change you in some way. The Ordeal is usually the most important event of the story.
Reaction:
In my opinion, the approach to the inmost cave must be the scariest step in the journey for the hero. They've made the decision to tackle whatever obstacle is in their way, and the time has now come. For me, it's like being at the first tee of my golf round. I've already committed to playing, and that's the time adrenaline and nerves take over. The Ordeal is also intense because the hero is facing death. I can't imagine coming that close to death.
Questions:
Have you ever experienced a life or death situation? If so, what was it? Did it change your life in any way?
Do nerves and adrenaline ever act as a positive? Give an example.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Annotated Bibliography
Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers." Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998 p. 127-143
Summary:
The reading was about Stage Five: Crossing the First Threshold. Crossing the first threshold is an act of the will in which the hero commits wholeheartedly to the adventure. If you give up in your mind right away and say I can't do this, chances are you won't be able to do it. It's like deciding to stop drinking or losing weight. It is physically possible, but the actual decision to do it comes from your will. It typically takes the hero some time to think about the adventure before they just step in and say, "yes! I want to do this!".. also, once they decide to do it, there is usually someone there to stop you, called the threshold guardian. This reading also talked about stage six, which is tests, allies, and enemies. A hero will most definitely encounter tests, allies, and enemies throughout their journey. Storytellers use the testing phase to test the hero, putting her through a series of trials and challenges that are meant to prepare her for greater ordeals ahead. It's natural for heroes just arriving in the Special World to spend some time figuring out who can be trusted and relied upon for special services, and who is not to be trusted.
Reflection:
The crossing of the threshold is interesting to me because it focuses on the hero's will to step into the adventure. We've all encountered those threshold guardians, that make us feel like we will never succeed. It could even be not believing in yourself. It is important to make a lot of allies because everyone needs help on their journey.
questions:
What are some of the threshold guardians you've encountered on your adventures?
Why is it important to make allies on your journey?
Summary:
The reading was about Stage Five: Crossing the First Threshold. Crossing the first threshold is an act of the will in which the hero commits wholeheartedly to the adventure. If you give up in your mind right away and say I can't do this, chances are you won't be able to do it. It's like deciding to stop drinking or losing weight. It is physically possible, but the actual decision to do it comes from your will. It typically takes the hero some time to think about the adventure before they just step in and say, "yes! I want to do this!".. also, once they decide to do it, there is usually someone there to stop you, called the threshold guardian. This reading also talked about stage six, which is tests, allies, and enemies. A hero will most definitely encounter tests, allies, and enemies throughout their journey. Storytellers use the testing phase to test the hero, putting her through a series of trials and challenges that are meant to prepare her for greater ordeals ahead. It's natural for heroes just arriving in the Special World to spend some time figuring out who can be trusted and relied upon for special services, and who is not to be trusted.
Reflection:
The crossing of the threshold is interesting to me because it focuses on the hero's will to step into the adventure. We've all encountered those threshold guardians, that make us feel like we will never succeed. It could even be not believing in yourself. It is important to make a lot of allies because everyone needs help on their journey.
questions:
What are some of the threshold guardians you've encountered on your adventures?
Why is it important to make allies on your journey?
Monday, October 6, 2008
Annotated Bibliography
Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers." Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998 p. 107-125
Summary:
This reading was about the refusal of the call and meeting with the mentor. When the hero is faced with the call to adventure, he is faced with his first big challenge. There is a certain amount of fear that goes along with the chance of being taken out of your comfort zone and placed in an unknown world. This halt shows the reader/audience that the adventure will most likely be risky and dangerous, which makes it interesting. It is natural to avoid the adventure at first due to fear, and to make excuses. Some heroes, however, don’t hesitate at all. When they are faced with a challenge, they just take it and run with it. In almost every heroic story, there is that threshold guardian that is there to push the hero to raise the fear of the adventure and to test the hero so that he/she can perform at their best.
Along with the threshold guardian, there is usually a mentor that is there to protect, guide, teach, test, train, and provide magical gifts for the hero. “Meeting with the Mentor is the stage of the Hero’s journey in which the hero gains the supplies, knowledge, and confidence needed to overcome fear and commence the adventure.” (p.117)
Reflection:
One of the scariest things in the world for most people is probably change. It’s scary to move, to change schools, to go from high school to college, to get married, to have children ect. This is what the hero faces when he is presented with a chance to leave his comfort zone and venture out into an unknown. The first instinct is probably to just say no, because it’s the easiest. But then again, if you do accept the challenge, you will get something out of it no matter what and will be proud of yourself.
It’s easy to relate to Vogler when he talks about the hero making excuses. I know that when I am faced with a difficult task and fear is involved, my first instinct, like everyone else, is to make and excuse so that I can just avoid the situation altogether. It was good that Vogler put in some examples from the Odyssey because most of us have read that so it’s easy to relate to it.
Questions:
Why do you think change is a big fear for people? What are some big changes you have experience within the last couple of years?
Does a hero need a mentor to get through his task? What heroes do we know that have used a mentor? Which ones have not?
Summary:
This reading was about the refusal of the call and meeting with the mentor. When the hero is faced with the call to adventure, he is faced with his first big challenge. There is a certain amount of fear that goes along with the chance of being taken out of your comfort zone and placed in an unknown world. This halt shows the reader/audience that the adventure will most likely be risky and dangerous, which makes it interesting. It is natural to avoid the adventure at first due to fear, and to make excuses. Some heroes, however, don’t hesitate at all. When they are faced with a challenge, they just take it and run with it. In almost every heroic story, there is that threshold guardian that is there to push the hero to raise the fear of the adventure and to test the hero so that he/she can perform at their best.
Along with the threshold guardian, there is usually a mentor that is there to protect, guide, teach, test, train, and provide magical gifts for the hero. “Meeting with the Mentor is the stage of the Hero’s journey in which the hero gains the supplies, knowledge, and confidence needed to overcome fear and commence the adventure.” (p.117)
Reflection:
One of the scariest things in the world for most people is probably change. It’s scary to move, to change schools, to go from high school to college, to get married, to have children ect. This is what the hero faces when he is presented with a chance to leave his comfort zone and venture out into an unknown. The first instinct is probably to just say no, because it’s the easiest. But then again, if you do accept the challenge, you will get something out of it no matter what and will be proud of yourself.
It’s easy to relate to Vogler when he talks about the hero making excuses. I know that when I am faced with a difficult task and fear is involved, my first instinct, like everyone else, is to make and excuse so that I can just avoid the situation altogether. It was good that Vogler put in some examples from the Odyssey because most of us have read that so it’s easy to relate to it.
Questions:
Why do you think change is a big fear for people? What are some big changes you have experience within the last couple of years?
Does a hero need a mentor to get through his task? What heroes do we know that have used a mentor? Which ones have not?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Revisions and Editing
1. Revision Plan- I need to elaborate with most of my paragraphs, and I need better transition sentences. I also really need to work on the focus of my paper to make sure I continue on the same plan so it makes sense to the reader. When I write, I tend to be jumbled and get back revisions like, "You lost focus" so I will try to work on that. I also need to capture my reader's attention in the beginning so they will actually care about what they are reading. Last but not least, at the end I need to really explain what I learned throughout my experience so that the paper will be worth reading.
2. Editing- I need to elaborate and explain words like there and it. I plan to fix some of my commas and work on sentence structure. I also need to broaden my vocabulary.
2. Editing- I need to elaborate and explain words like there and it. I plan to fix some of my commas and work on sentence structure. I also need to broaden my vocabulary.
Quiz-Kafka
1. Connect the Ordinary World and the Call to Adventure to your reading of Book 1 of _The Metamorphosis_ Explain the connection.
2. Are there any social issues being critiqued in the story? How does "The Red Scare" relate to Kafka's work?
3. What does Gregor turn into in the story?
1. In the Metamorphosis Part 1, Gregor's ordinary world is his world before he woke up one morning as a monstrous bug. His Call to Adventure was when he woke up one morning as a bug and wanted to roll over and "forget all this nonsense." However, he knew that he would have to face his parents, job, and manager. He decides that he should get up and go to work, but it's really hard for him to get up because of his new body. Even though he would have probably freaked his manager out, he was willing to get out of bed and go speak to him. He didn't care what he looked like. He knew he still had a job and responsibilities. It was probably scary for him because he was one of the few people in his family that actually worked so they were depending on him.
2. In my opinion, the social issue being critiqued is how much appearance means to us as humans. Not everyone will admit it, but what you look like and how you present yourself is really important to people. This is why people tend to be self-conscious if they don't think they look good, which should not be the case. Only what's on the inside should matter. "The Red Scare" relates to Kafka's work because the "Red Scare" was about how easily you could be thrown in the gutter by your fellow Americans, let alone your own family. Communism was such a big deal, that if you were even seen talking to someone who MAY be related to a Communist, you could be thrown in jail. This meant that if your family found out you may be in trouble, like Gregor's family when they found out he was a bug, you may be shut off from them, which is not a good feeling.
3. In the Metamorphosis Part 1, Gregor turns into a monstrous roach.
2. Are there any social issues being critiqued in the story? How does "The Red Scare" relate to Kafka's work?
3. What does Gregor turn into in the story?
1. In the Metamorphosis Part 1, Gregor's ordinary world is his world before he woke up one morning as a monstrous bug. His Call to Adventure was when he woke up one morning as a bug and wanted to roll over and "forget all this nonsense." However, he knew that he would have to face his parents, job, and manager. He decides that he should get up and go to work, but it's really hard for him to get up because of his new body. Even though he would have probably freaked his manager out, he was willing to get out of bed and go speak to him. He didn't care what he looked like. He knew he still had a job and responsibilities. It was probably scary for him because he was one of the few people in his family that actually worked so they were depending on him.
2. In my opinion, the social issue being critiqued is how much appearance means to us as humans. Not everyone will admit it, but what you look like and how you present yourself is really important to people. This is why people tend to be self-conscious if they don't think they look good, which should not be the case. Only what's on the inside should matter. "The Red Scare" relates to Kafka's work because the "Red Scare" was about how easily you could be thrown in the gutter by your fellow Americans, let alone your own family. Communism was such a big deal, that if you were even seen talking to someone who MAY be related to a Communist, you could be thrown in jail. This meant that if your family found out you may be in trouble, like Gregor's family when they found out he was a bug, you may be shut off from them, which is not a good feeling.
3. In the Metamorphosis Part 1, Gregor turns into a monstrous roach.
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