Refusal of the call

Summary: Stage three of the reading, Vogler talks about the Refusal of the call by the hero.  What this means is when a Hero is presented with a challenge and denies it, there is usually something that needs to motivate the hero to "spring into action," so to speak.  There are many types of refusals including avoidance, which is, as it sounds, avoiding the problem, and excuses which is once again self-explanatory.  Vogler also suggests that persistent refusal leads to tragedy.   Threshold guardians can be a force that stops the hero on his/her journey as well. 

Vogler also talks about the "meeting with the mentor," which is the act of the hero meeting his superior.  Mentor's are most commonly recognized as the helpful sources of wisdom that help the Hero along his journey.  The term mentor itself comes from the book we read earlier in the year, the odyssey.  Occasionally however, the mentor may lead the hero in the wrong direction.   

Reaction:  I feel as though the refusal of the call by the hero, initially makes the hero appear weak.  Maybe that is the whole idea behind the refusal aspect, but I cant seem to hold onto those "heroic" notions after superman decides that he doesn't feel like putting his costume on.  I also feel that if a hero should ever succumb to persistent refusal, that he will persistently be a wimp. I think that when a mentor doesn't guide the hero in a positive direction, that the mentor should be considered something else.  How is a mentor, one who guides you, someone who gives you incorrect information?  I wouldn't consider a teacher a mentor if they were telling me that the second World war was won by sea monkeys.

Reflection: I would have to say that Gregor's refusal of the call was not necessarily by choice but rather by necessity itself.  Now that I think about it that way, I am sort of second guessing my initial thoughts of a hero who refuses the call.  I suppose that at all times, a hero cannot be ready for whatever, whenever.  Just as I am not always prepared, neither are the heroes. 

Questions:  Could an example of a threshold guardian be Gregor's physical mutation?

Is his "refusal to the call" when he won't open the door or when he wants to go back to sleep?

Could Gregors refusal to open the door be an example of positive refusal?