The refusal of the call...
In the book "Zach's lie" that I previously read (I'm sick of blogging about my current book) his call to adventure is more of a force to adventure (making his refusal of call pointless). Jack's (the main character, also Zach) dad was a drug smuggler and is in jail. Jack doesn't know this and gets forced into the witness protection program. Jack's ordinary world is in absorbed in his social awkwardness "I have never really been good at making friends" (Smith,p.20). Zach can be described as an introvert. He's good at talking to large groups of people but he's awkward in small groups. It's completely understandable why he doesn't WANT to. In the journey archetypes we've been reading the hero usually has the option. However, in the archetypal journey's we've been reading if the hero doesn't go on said journey than there is going to be severe consequences (e.g. Minotaur's continued reign over Athens). So he doesn't have a choice. It shouldn't be called a "refusal of call" but a "reluctance of call" because he really has no choice.
Wednesday 28 December 2011
Wednesday 14 December 2011
9. Ordinary World
I am currently reading "The Boxes" and "The Ordinary World" is pretty unique...
The actual ordinary world is sustained throughout the book (somewhat). The boxes are the "key" to the fantastical world. In fact the character has a very stressful family life... REALLY STRESSFUL http://www.ciprianginghina.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/stress-relief-2.jpg
So the main character's life isn't exactly exciting, far from it. But these boxes are an element of excitement in her life. She doesn't actually leave or "go" anywhere. All that happens is the boxes get opened and all hell breaks loose, but the main character doesn't leave what was previously her "Ordinary World". This is a surprisingly different spin on the journey that . Most "Journey" motifs involve the character going somewhere (even if it's just a dimension that exists within their world). It could be looked at in the way that her ordinary goes away from her. Her ordinary world is changed by these creatures. A very drastic change from the motif and yet it follows the motif so beautifully that there is no question on whether or not it is, in fact, a journey.
The actual ordinary world is sustained throughout the book (somewhat). The boxes are the "key" to the fantastical world. In fact the character has a very stressful family life... REALLY STRESSFUL http://www.ciprianginghina.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/stress-relief-2.jpg
So the main character's life isn't exactly exciting, far from it. But these boxes are an element of excitement in her life. She doesn't actually leave or "go" anywhere. All that happens is the boxes get opened and all hell breaks loose, but the main character doesn't leave what was previously her "Ordinary World". This is a surprisingly different spin on the journey that . Most "Journey" motifs involve the character going somewhere (even if it's just a dimension that exists within their world). It could be looked at in the way that her ordinary goes away from her. Her ordinary world is changed by these creatures. A very drastic change from the motif and yet it follows the motif so beautifully that there is no question on whether or not it is, in fact, a journey.
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