Vogler, Christopher. Book Two: Stage Seven: Approach to the Inmost cave Stage Eight: The Ordeal. The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 143-173.

Summary:
The approach to the Inmost Cave is described as the intermediate region between the border and the very center of the hero’s journey. At this stage the hero will encounter supreme wonder and terror, and is forced to make final preparations for their central ordeal of the adventure. Vogler notes that there can be various functions of approach within this stage, and relies on the Wizard of Oz to help illuminate some of the functions of this stage, as the story possesses a well-developed approach section. Obstacles are present within this stage, which will serve to bond the heroes as a group, and prepare them for the life and death struggle yet to come. Illusions can also be present, and it is crucial that the hero remains focused and alert on their journey. Often at times Threshold Guardians will be present in this stage, and represent various elements of the hero’s internal psyche as well as current adventure.
The Ordeal is the stage in which the hero `stands in the deepest chamber of the Inmost Cave, faces the greatest challenge, as well as the most fearsome opponent yet. The Ordeal is seen as the mainspring of the heroic form and the key to its magic power. It is emphasized that heroes must die so that they can be reborn, and through this process they return changed and transformed. The ordeal is usually the central event of the story, or the main event of the second act, and is more appropriately termed crisis, rather than climax, as it is the point in the story where hostile forces are in the tensest state of opposition. Vogler clarifies that a crisis can come in various stages of the story, and differentiates between a central crisis, and a delayed crisis. Every story needs a crisis moment that conveys the ordeals sense of death and revival, as a crisis can separate the two halves of the story. The ordeal is described as one of the deepest depressions in a story, and thus leads to one of its highest peaks.

Reaction: I was very impressed with Vogler`s description of the Approach to the Inmost Cave, and The Ordeal. In both chapters the information is presented in a clear and concise manner that leaves little confusion for the reader. Vogler made clear that both sections represent critical stages of the hero’s journey, and easily allowed the reader to identify with the criteria through using well known films as Wizard of Oz and Star Wars to further illuminate the respective stages.
Questions:
What do you find to be more effective in a story – having a central crisis or a delayed crisis? Explain why.

Have there been times where you found yourself rooting for the villain rather than the hero?

Describe the relationship between the hero’s external challenges with that of his inner challenges?