Stages 5 & 6 of the Journey

Vogler, Christopher. Vogler, Christopher. “Book Two: Stages of the Journey.” The Writer's Journey. Third. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998. 127 – 141.

Summary:

Crossing the First Threshold -
- The Hero commits to the adventure.
* External force - not usually because of their mentor.
* Internal force -
* Combination of external and internal.
- Encounter with the Threshold Guardian:
* Block the way, or test the Hero.
* Tend to gather around a literal threshold (i.e., door, gate, or narrow passage).
* Getting around the Guardian:
~ Recognize the Guardian's power, but realize it's not a threat.
* Threshold guardians can turn into valuable allies.
- Crossing the Threshold:
* Takes courage.
* Make cause a crash, or crisis.

Tests, Allies, and Enemies -
- New World:
* Contrasts with the Ordinary World.
* More trials are soon to come.
~ May be a continuation of the Mentor's training.
~ Usually the Villains and Shadows dominate the New World -- it's their territory, so they can set traps.
~ The Hero must determine who his Allies and Enemies are.
- Sidekicks.
- Teams.
- Rivals.
- Enemy Underlings.
* Often times in the New World there are New Rules.
~ If those rules aren't followed, the Hero can get himself into trouble.

** The phase of Tests, Allies, and Enemies help the audience get to know all of important characters in the story. It also allows the Hero to prepare for the upcoming stages of his journey.

Response:

The phase where the Hero crosses the threshold is very important, because it is the true start of the journey. However, the phase where the Hero meets his Allies and Enemies kind of takes a slow start, but is very important for setting up an exciting and compelling story. Knowing who to trust and who to fight against is important for later on in the story when the Hero is tested. Those two phases are exciting just because the climax is getting closer and closer.

Questions:
- Is there a point where the Mentor should leave the story?

- Is a story more thrilling if we are misled to believe that Enemy is an Ally, or Sidekick?

- Is it possible for a Hero to not make an Ally?

- After the Hero travels to the New World, is there any way that he can return to his Ordinary World without facing any tests?