Keep on Vogling.

To keep it fresh and interesting for myself i'm returning back to Vogler's book to dig a little deeper into his method. There's quite a few things on the internet about myths and stories involving fairies and gnomes, and i've got a great book at home about gnomes to refer to which was given to me as a present a little while back (see Amazon link at the end of the post for reference). It feels unnecessary at this point to just keep posting information about them, the important thing is to start using those legends and stories to start creating my own mythology. 

My plan is to write up a field report of both creatures as if written by an anthropologist. I think i'll post at least some of these as I go along.

Which brings me back to Vogler. The next part of his book to tackle is an extended analysis of the Mentor archetype. This chapter breaks down the psychological and dramatic functions of this role. Admittedly I don't want to get too bogged down in this so i'm going to try and skim through this as quickly as possible.

Vogler says "In the anatomy of the human psyche, Mentors represent the Self, the god within us, the aspect of personality that is connected with all things. The higher Self is the wiser, nobler, more godlike part of us."

For some people I know this is the part of themselves that likes to get a little chilled out, read books like The Celestine Prophecy, buy jewellery and clothes from markets, take up twirling fire sticks and buy trance music cd's with pictures of the Buddha on the cover.

 At least that was it's manifestation when they were in their twenties. A few years have passed since then.

The Mentor is our highest self and not in the ceramic bong that looks like a wizard sense. Though in all honesty it probably is for some, no judgement here. 

Vogler breaks down the Mentor's dramatic roles;

Teacher - Pretty obvious really.

Gift-Giving - Think larger than an itunes gift-card. 

Gifts Should Be Earned - The hero must pass tests to show they are worthy of the gift. I mean you wouldn't give an itunes gift-card to someone who's favourite music was Celine Dion and Enya. 

Mentor As Inventor - "If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious shit." 

The Hero's Conscience - Oh so Jiminy Cricket wasn't just a lovable insect friend?

Motivation - The Anthony Robbins archetype as this will one day be known.

Planting - "Planting information or props that will become important later" says Vogler. Like Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers movies

Sexual Initiation - My stories mentor is marked to be the eccentric Aunt. Vogler you sick bastard.

                            "This doesn't have to relate to your story G." - Vogler

                            "Of course it doesn't, how silly of me" - G.

Vogler then lays down some types of mentors;

The Dark Mentor - This sounds cool but my mind is still back at sexual initiation.

Fallen Mentors - Broken men and women and things that can talk lost on their own heroes journeys

Continuing Mentors - Gandalf.

Multiple Mentors - Does this have anything to do with sexual initiation?

They can be comic, shaman,inner or a role shared by other characters and the hero. Blah, blah and blah.

 

I think we get the picture? 

Here's that link to the awesome Gnome book I have at home.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gnomes-Wil-Huygen/dp/0810909650/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316666077&sr=1-3