Chapters 2 and 3

Summary

Today’s reading began with the various types of archetypes (hero, mentor, higher self, shapeshifter, threshold guardian, trickster, shadow, herald, and allies), describing that they are not necessarily people, but rather “functions” as a character may not hold a certain archetype throughout an entire story or have many at one time. It then goes in to describe a hero’s role, specifically stating that sacrifice must be involved, whether it be through giving up their time to help others or even death. Heroes are said to start out as completely “ego” and that throughout their journey, they learn lessons that allow them to grow as a person. Heroes must have flaws in order for them to have this growth and allowing them to be seen as a human being, but yet have unique qualities that make one want to be like them. The various types of heroes are discussed such as unwilling and willing heroes, antiheroes such as the tragic hero and heroes with “wounded” qualites, group-oriented or loners heroes, and catalyst heroes that do not overcome change in themselves, but rather in someone else. The passage then discusses the mentor’s main goals (guiding, giving deserving gifts, training, and showing enthusiasm). It further describes the types of mentors such as the fallen mentor who must follow a hero’s path themselves, dark mentors that may prove as obstacles, staying the hero from his or her path, but ultimately teaching them a lesson, and comic mentors who give advice about love. Finally, the mentor does not need to be “flesh,” as they may come in the form of a conscience.

Reaction

For the most part, I felt that Vogler’s ideas of heroes and mentors fit into stories. I do not understand, however, how a fallen mentor is really a mentor and that catalyst heroes are heroes as I feel these two character roles should be switched. It states that catalyst heroes act heroically, but do not bring about a change in themselves, thus that would be considered a mentor since the hero must go on a “journey.” When I think of a fallen mentor, I see someone who is down on themselves and thus cannot guide the hero and the hero would end up guiding them (which then makes the hero a mentor?). On the other hand, this shows that a character can have more than one archetype at one time as stated above. I did not understand how to distinguish an inner mentor (isn’t that just your conscience?).

Reflection

As I read these chapters, I kept in mind real life events rather than a set story. As for the hero, images of people in the war or parents came to mind. Those fighting overseas had to give up a lot (sacrifice) such as relationships, a job, and possibly their life. Parents also give things up for their children as raising a child is timely, costly, and stressful. Also, in terms of the mentor, I thought of my college mentor who, when I was dealing with a crisis (determining a major or classes to take), guided me and gave me advice, but would not make decisions for me. When it came to a mentor that wasn’t “flesh,” God came to mind, as well.

Questions

1. In the section “Mentors,” it describes a mentor as the “Higher Self,” yet in the “Archetypes” section, the diagram lists them separately. Why is this?

2. In the “Archetypes” section, it describes a character known as the “eternal boy.” Can you think of examples of the “eternal girl?” If not, why do you think this is the case?

3. Why do you think the text compares “succeed” to “live” and “failure” to “death?”

4. What is your opinion of a hero seeking out a mentor because his or her “parents are inadequate role models?”