Annt. Bib. #8

Voglar, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey”. Stages of the Journey. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998. 175-194.

Summary

This reading covered the Reward and the Road Back stages of the hero’s journey. The reward is in reference to the “thing” they take/receive for surviving death. This is usually followed up with a celebration for much needed time of relaxation and rest after going through the ordeal. Many stories show a celebration with a campfire scene. This gives the hero time to sit with companions (if any) and relive their adventure and really think about the things they learned and won. Others may use a love scene as a reward for the hero. Once they have conquered death they deserve to be loved. However, sometimes the reward is not an object or person, sometimes it is knowledge, a new perception, or self-realization, just depending on the story.

The second part of the reading covers the Road Back, in which some stories it is short and sweet while in others it’s a whole other ordeal/adventure. Some stories contain a realization stage, where the villain comes back for one more chance at revenge. Other stories contain a chase scene at the end of the movie to give a little more excitement after a relaxing moment during the reward stage. However, some stories will sad endings where the villain escapes or gets one last “punch” in before he is gone forever, in which the hero experiences a setback that may seem to doom an adventure.

Reaction

I like the Reward stage because when I was reading about all the different types of rewards I realize that as we grow up we tend to value things differently. When we’re younger, or at least when I was younger, I would see the reward as a treasure—basically a very valuable object. Now I feel more inclined to find knowledge or self-realization a little bit more valuable then actual treasure because I feel that it would be more use to me in life than just a bunch of shiny things.

Questions

1. What would be your reward at the end of your adventure?
2. Do you like stories that have a short “road back” or one that is exciting and has the villain make a last effort against the hero?
3. In your opinion do you think the Call to Adventure is easier, or the Road Back?