Zoah Alvarado
Vogler Annotation.
Vogler, Christopher. "The Writer's Journey." The Writer's Journey: Shaman and Appendices: Stories are Alive. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Production, 2007. 291-312.
Summary.
In Shaman: The Writer's Journey Vogler explains how his book can be used as an accurate guideline which orients the inspiring writer in the correct direction. Vogler also introduces the idea that the Writer's Journey and the Hero's Journey are in essence the same in that both the hero and the writer encounter the same "tests, trials, ordeals, joys, and rewards" (293).
Writing is described as a perilous journey which the writer takes on him or herself to accomplish in order to discover the depths of his or her soul. The archetypes even take on new life and meaning when applied to the Writer's Journey as they pertain to the Hero's Journey. For example Vogler mentions "low selfesteem or confusion about goals may be the Shadow that chill our work", and the Threshold Guardian as the "editor or one's own judgemental side...that seem to block our way" (293). Vogler goes on to say how the alphabet were believed in many cultures to be powerful magical symbols, explaining how the Norse Runes and Hebrew alphabet were simple yet deep symbols of cosmic significance. Another interesting point Vogler makes is on how "When you 'spell' a word correctly, you are in effect casting a spell, charging these abstract, arbitray symbils with meaning and power" ( 294). Writer are compared to Shaman and /or Medicine men or women in this section on account that both are "special people set apart from the rest by their dreams, visions, or unique experiences" (294). Shamans have been known as " the wounder healers" and in such a way writers have come to produce their craft only after being shattered or "wounded".
Reaction.
I like the connection Vogler makes between Shaman's and Writers with the concept that they are both a characterized as dreamers and people with unique experiences which they share with others. I also like Vogler's statement about how spelling a word correctly you are essentially casting spell. The fact that many culture believe alphabets to have far more meaning and power than simple communication, documentation, or recclocation.
Questions.
1. What other kinds of character archtype could writers be compared to?
Words.
Manipulate (294): to handle apparatice, etc., in experiment; to handle, esp. with skill or dexterity; to turn, repostiion, reshape, etc., manually or by means of a tool or machine; to manage, control, or influence in a subtle, devious, or underhands manner.
It is often times intriging to see how often we humans manipulate each other.
No comments:
Post a Comment