Reflection/Action ?!?!?!?!??!?!

Hmmmms..... Lets see I have not done much so my action plan will go as such:
- Do project 2
- Stalk Professor (action may be done before, after, and during my completion of project 2)
- Volunteer at Renaissance Festival over the weekend for service hours.
- Start the process towards accomplishing project 3, and ask
Professor for life saving whenever is needed.

Revision Plan

1.) Write draft and send it to you. Also make Lisa read it.

2.) Read what I have written out load so I clearly  know what words or ideas I have left out. 

3.) See you on Monday to get a one on one over-view of what I have come up with.

Kafka Quiz

1. Connect the Ordinary World and the Call to Adventure to your reading of Book 1 of _The Metamorphosis_ Explain the connection.

  Well in the story we get a good sense of what Gregor was before his transformation. We see he lives with his parents, is a business salesman, and used to be in the army. His call to action however was was he awakes one morning to see his body isn't what it once was and his parents, sister, and manager banging on the door is we cause his determination to learn how to use his new body.  

2. Are there any social issues being critiqued in the story? How does "The Red Scare" relate to Kafka's work?

   

   The idea that a perfectly normal dependable man who supports his family, doesn't go out and party, and has serviced his country one day wakes up to be this hideous monster who can't even communicate with his family represents what it was people back then were afraid of. Its the idea that anyone no matter how good or normal they appear can one day wake up transformed into a monster, or rather a communist.  
3. What does Gregor turn into in the story?

    A cockroach. An interesting idea relating to the red scare when you think that a cockroach is an insect that is said to be able to survive a nuclear bomb. 

Annotated Bibliography: pg. 83-105

Vogler, Christopher. The Writers Journey. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.

Summary: We start to read Book Two, a section which further illustrates the "Stages of The Journey". Pages 83-105 covers "Stage One: The Ordinary World" and "Stage Two: The Call To Adventure". Vogler explains the Ordinary World as being in all essence the beginning of the hero's journey, he goes on to explain that the beginning "must hook the reader or viewer, set the tone of the story, suggest where it's going, and get across a mass of information without slowing the pace." (Vogler pg.83) There are several components of the Ordinary World that need to be considered when writing a story, the firs being "Before The Beginning", or the first thing experienced by the audience, this includes title, atmosphere, imagery, and dialogue and their parts that play into your audience's state of mind before your story even begins. Then there is the title, which not only cues the audience to the writer's state of mind but also perhaps the tone of the story. Also the opening image is an effective means to get the message/mood of the story as well as were the story is headed. Prologues are sometimes used as well in order  to provide the audience with maybe a pice of the character's backstory or maybe even introduce the main villain. Contrast between the new "Special World", which the adventure takes place in, and the "Ordinary World" is very important to establish so not only the hero but also the audience can experience a shared dramatic change. Sometimes the Ordinary World is also used to help foreshadow trials and difficulties the hero will face in the new Special World they travel to. Or maybe the Ordinary World is being used to pose one of the "dramatic question(s)" of the story, which Vogler says every good story needs to have about it's Hero. This may also be a good time to identify either the inner or outer problem of the hero or both, a hero with both inner and outer problems becomes more realistic to the audience and is more able to evolve. Whatever the hero's problems may be the beginning of a story has one of the most important roles of introducing the character and that character's entrance into the story, the entrance sets the baseline of the audiences' interpretations and feelings towards the hero.  "The Hero's Lack" or something that they never had to begin with or may have been taken away from them, is another important aspect for that what drives the hero to achieving their task/quest and in most cases that journey helps make them whole again. "The Hero's Lack" can also attribute to them becoming a "Wounded Hero", be it physical or emotional giving a hero a wound they must carry around with them and strive to over come allows the audience to sympathize and connect with the hero. Yet it is most essential that the writer establishes what exactly is at stake for the readers/viewers to become involved in the story, and whither that has anything to do with the Hero's wound is totally up to the writer. Along the same line, the Ordinary World is a great time in the story to introduce the theme, or the overall message of the story, what it really boils down to.

  Yet in order for any of that which can be introduced in the Ordinary World to matter later on in the story the hero must get their "Call To Adventure", once the character is introduced and some important information is leaked the call to adventure can be seen as what really kicks off our story. However there may have been a series of prior events that finally leads to the summoning of our main character, this is known as Synchronicity. Although that may not be enough for the hero to get off their lazy asses and get going so temptation may be part of the call to adventure to bribe the character. The one person whom usually is stuck with being the messager fits into the Herald archetype being either negative, positive, or neutral to the situation. They can also play the role of either Mentor or Enemy for the hero, without the hero necessarily being able to tell if they are good or bad. However the hero doesn't always have to be comfortable with the idea of their action-packed destiny , but it is usually necessary for the hero's growth. Temptation is not the only thing that drives a hero to their journey, it may come from a loss of something to the hero or perhaps the hero has run out of further options and is stuck with completing their journey. There can even be more then just one call for the hero to come to action.

Reflection: I thought the many different components and thought that go into just the atmosphere and beginning of a story was incredible. Like the concept behind the design for the title of The Godfather, and just how important a title can be; the very first impression the audience gets of the story. The amount of detail and variables that need to be controlled are so overwhelming, yet without really knowing about them I have over looked them in the past. Vogler's implication on the importance of the beginning and atmosphere of the Ordinary World has brought to my eyes something I never really gave a second thought to, and I find that awesome!

Questions: (1.) If you had to give the story of your life so far a title what would it be? Would it be something from your past, present, or future? Why?

              

              (2.)"Sometimes writers neglect to give the characters a compelling inner problem to solve as well." (Vogler pg.88) Identify a character from a book or movie you have viewed that fits this instance and create an inner flaw you think would most suit them. What is it and why did you chose it?

               (3.) How would you like to make your dramatic entrance in your own story?

Logos, Pathos, and Ethos

  Logos is our logical characteristics that deals with reason and facts. Not to mention common knowledge and history. And as such I have chosen this image and song to represent those ideals:   

 
                                As seen in this image of a student's answer to one of their tests they turned in, that indeed is where the  "X" is. 

My song that I chose for Logos is "I'm just a bill" By School House Rock, for it explains the legal system of our country and the steps taken for a bill to pass.

Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ  

  

   Pathos is the emotions contrived from certain experiences you or someone else is going through, like sympathy and empathy:

                          

                          

                            

      Such as the King of Sparta's emotions are shown through iconic faces in this image.

 The son i chose for Pathos was 2gether's "u+me=us (calculus)" Which is the emotional desire between this boy band and their imaginary love interest.

Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEKWZk16N_w

  

  Then there is Ethos which is more long the lines of personal values, beliefs,or morals:

                    

  Such as Mr.Dinosaur's strong dis-like for places of residence,  which he thus explains.

The song I chose for ethos was "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats, for in the song they state that: "cause if your friend don't dance then their no friend of mine." Meaning this man only wants to be friends with those who hold the same moral values as himself.

Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qW0Edq1KqI

Annotated Bibliography pgs 49-83

Vogler, Christopher. The Writers Journey. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.

Summary: In vogler 49-80, it further discusses the rest of the hero archetypes. Such as the threshold guardian, and they are the ones who test the hero, and guard the obsticles. Then there is the herald, positive, neutral or negative figure that will often appear in act one and bring a challenge to the hero. The next is the shapeshifter who's nature is to be shifting and unstable, and is a powerful archetpye and understanding its ways can be helpful in the story line. The shadow represents the villian and the dark side, and can also represent guilt or deep trama. Then the ally who travels with the hero and can serve as a varity of funcations.

Reflection: It is very very intereesitng to see that each character in a story can be catagorizerd into a specific mold that helps to not only further enhance the story, but also explain their duty and purpose to futher enhance the hero.

Questions:
Can this be related to life today?
What character in pop culture can you place as a shadow figure, and which type?
How has an ally helped you in your own personal life, in exceeding some of your personal goals?

My Disney Character

   After much thought and intense debate, not only between friends but with myself as well, I have come to the conclusion that I Lucy Margaret Cosgrove could not think of one single Disney character to associate myself with.  To make an ever lasting first impression of my creativity on my new Professor I realized that I could not place myself to any particular generic Disney persona, so instead I decided to relate myself with several:

 

Peter Pan: I never want to grow up! Not to say that I cannot have a mature domineer, but to me adulthood has none of that extra spice and magic we had as children when looking at the world. And like Peter, when I find something to believe in I put 100% of myself into it, even if that means kicking some pirate ass!

 

Emperor Kuzco: All right, I am not whiny bitchy royalty, but that’s not to say I don’t love getting my way! But I would have to say the qualities I relate most too are Kuzco’s sass and sarcasm. Two family traits I take much pride in.

 

Robin Hood (Disney version):I have a strong sense of moral values that I hold myself and others to. And like Robin I seem to find myself frequently surrounded by a loyal group of great people who hold similar values as my own, yet I always manage to find a great group of diversity. And I like to think I hold a fairly good leadership role among them.

 

Belle: Ok I had to identify myself with at least one of the Disney princesses, and looking back at my writing I find she is the first female character I identify with, lets chalk that up to Disney’s degradation of women through flimsy weak female roles. But as far as their princesses go Belle has got to be the best! Who doesn’t love a stubborn brunette who loves to read? (hint hint) Not to mention I like to think that all though I may be stubborn, I do give people the benefit of the doubt despite appearances, well as much as any human truly can. But if they are obnoxious that’s another story entirely…