Vogler 127-141 anno

In stage 5 of Vogler's reading, he discusses "crossing the threshold."  According to Vogler, "Crossing the threshold is an act of will in which the hero commits wholeheartedly to the adventure."  Vogler then goes on to describe how heroes engage their journey and approach the threshold.  There are three ways to approach the threshold.  You can approach the threshold externally in which some other event happens that heightens the stakes and forces the hero to become more involved than before.  The second way is through internal events in which a hero faces a change of the soul or of some great personal matter.  The third and final way to approach the threshold would be through a combination of both internal and externally imposed events.  Threshold guardians are also discusses and I feel that they are one of the more influential and memorable archetypes.  Such as the guards outside parliament, the guardians themselves can become more of an icon that that which is guarded.  A major concept Vogler mentions is the "leap of faith."  As we all know, the leap of faith is symbolic for an action that can not be reversed.  The rough landing, as discussed later, is the bad result of the leap of faith, in which the Hero's choice was not the wisest and brought the Hero more grief.  Vogler then goes on to talk about Tests, Allies, and Enemies.  Three huge components to any story, the tests the hero's face, the allies that accompany them and the enemies they face along the way, are all paramount to a good story.  Although self-explanatory, there are deeper meanings to the three.  For instance, an ally can also be a side-kick, or a character often representative of his mentor, the Hero.  

Q1. Can a threshold guardian be something inanimate? 

Q2. What are some instances of threshold guardians who are more significant in the story than tat which is guarded?

Q3.  Can a side-kick be a threshold guardian as well?