Vogler's "A Practical Guide"

Summary
In this section of the text The Writer’s Journey, Christopher Vogler introduces how Joseph Campbell’s work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, relates to the journey of the writer. Campbell’s book describes the typical journey of a hero and ultimately describes the similarities between heroes that exist in different time periods and cultures. Therefore, he is able to establish an archetype for the hero. Vogler transforms Campbell’s hero’s journey into the thought process of the writer. He separates the book into three separate acts, each with scenes that correlate to the steps in Campbell’s hero’s journey. Vogler even uses modern day film to describe the accuracy in Campbell’s typical hero’s journey, suggesting films like The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, and Beverly Hills Cop. Vogler’s ability to relate modern media to Campbell’s theory aids the reader in a better understanding of the journey that the writer must take as well.
Reaction
This first chapter in Vogler’s work was clear and concise, especially since it was paralleled to Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Having already read portions of Campbell’s work in the past, I easily understood the connections that Vogler was making to the journey of a writer. Vogler’s connection to film added humor to his text and allowed the reader to make modern day connections to The Hero with a Thousand Faces. For instance, he relates the hero’s ordeal, which is generally the most fearful confrontation the hero will make, to Star Wars. Vogler describes the near death of Luke Skywalker on the Death Star when he has a confrontation with the giant trash master. The near death experience creates fear in the audience and proves that this modern day film is in fact an appropriate representation of the hero’s journey.
Reflection
Throughout my short writing career, I have always been encouraged to steer clear of making connections to films. Most of my past assignments have strictly required me to relate my thoughts and ideas to literature or factual research. It is refreshing that Vogler relates the hero’s journey to films. Although my brain has been trained not to make connections involving film, our media rich society has made it difficult to think of other supposedly more intellectual examples. Vogler’s description in this portion of the text allowed me to experience the hero’s journey outside of the typical discussions of Gilgamesh and Odysseus. Last semester I received an assignment to write a paper comparing and constrasting the leadership and heroic qualities of Gilgamesh, Odysseus, and Rama. Reading Vogler’s connections to Star Wars and Beverly Hills Cop are certainly a nice break from the ancient hero’s in literature that are commonly discussed.

Questions
Is the heroic archetype constructed through past writers and innovators or by the human collective unconscious?
How does Vogler’s connection to the Wizard of Oz reveal Dorothy as a female hero?
If Luke Skywalker is an archetype hero, how does Darth Vader, as the villain, contribute to Campbell’s hero’s journey?