Blog Entry 3.5 Coraline - Hero's Quest

In his seminal work The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell identified the typical elements of the hero’s journey. In the novel Coraline, by Neil Gaiman there consists of many elements of what Campbell was referring too. In short, Coraline consisted a hero, a call to adventure, supernatural aid, a transformation of the main character, trials and tribulations for the main character, a revelation, atonement, and the return. All of these things make up the hero’s journey.

The following elements can be identified in Coraline. Coraline starts out like an average 12 year old girl in Europe. She just recently moved into a new flat with her parents. Later in the novel, Coraline ends up having a cup of tea with Ms Spink and Ms. Forcible, she is then given a magical stone as well as having her fortune read to her. (supernatural aid + calling to adventure p23, p25) Coraline then decides to go through the door that leads to no where. She discovers a world that is very much like her own, but slightly different. Along her journey, she runs into a black cat that can talk (a helper and mentor p43) while in the other world. After Coraline has spent some time in the closet, she is then determined to save her parents along with the other children that were there who have died. (transformation, death and rebirth p97-100) Coraline then decides to make a bet with the other mother about saving her parents as well as the other three children that are locked up in the mirror/closet. (atonement) Coraline ends up saving the children, her parents, as well as the cat who that ended up helping her and brings them back home. (the return p157-162)

As readers, the hero’s journey helps us to understand novels better. I think if a perfect Hero were created, it might not be able to catch the eye of the reader or the readers interest. In a specific part in Coraline, Coraline is there in the closet sitting down, I think it’s at this point it becomes obvious that in certain cases or in some way or another she has failed in saving her parents. People try and do things in life and sometimes it doesn’t always works out. I think it’s ok to fail as long as you put some effort into what ever it is that you’re doing and this is why it is part of the hero’s journey, it’s ok to fail.

I think the reason why us as readers should care about the hero’s journey is that it helps people understand, mature, and evolve into a better person or at least a better human being. It helps build morals for others. In the beginning of Coraline, Coraline was a little annoying brat, she always wanted attention or to be entertained. At the end of the novel, she ends up becoming a completely different person. She also comes to the realisation of what she has and in turn ends up becoming grateful for having them.

Blog Entry 3.4 Project frame

For blog entry 3.4, I would like you to post frame out your project idea. I would like you to include the following:

A description of what the product will be.
For my english 102 supernatural research project, I have decided to do a video introduction to World of Warcraft. The introduction will include selecting a class, customizing the physical attributes of that class, the story or lore behind that class, and some game play.


What you have done already.
So far what I have done is buy the game. Doesn't seem like much, but at least I have the core element that's required for the project. :)

The steps you think you will take to get it done.

1. Picking a video recording software. (hopefully one that my pc will handle.)

2. Selecting a class.

3. Making a character. (name, looks, and epicness)

4. Explaining the game and the class that was selected. Possibly having some written material that can be read to the viewer about the video or the lore behind it.

5. Some game play footage.

6. End game play footage. (optional)

7. Video editing software to cut, paste, crop, and modifiy game play footage.

8. Review footage and make necessary changes as see fit.

9. Show others for response/reaction.

10. Submit.

An approximate schedule with deadlines (Due Date: Prior to Class 12/7 and 12/9 repectively) What are you going to get done when?

The first 3 steps I'll try and get done by 20th of Nov.

Steps 4 possibly over thanks giving day. 25th Nov

Step 5, record some game footage fight scenes. (newbie stuff) Possibly optional materiel here as well. (step 6)

steps 7 and 8 Dec 1-3

step 9 Show others when completed.

step 10 Submit on Due date 12/9.

Anticipated problems?

My own procrastination. :(

Blog Entry 3.3

I'm not entirely sure on what I should do for my research project. It will most definitely be something relating to WoW (World of Warcraft). I'm debating on whether to do a Wiki or a video for it. The video would probably consist of me playing and maybe having some fight scenes of things you can do in the game. My biggest concern is whether it will be enjoyable to those who view it.

Edit:
So, I have decided to do a turtorial on a character creation for WoW. The turtorial will probably go into details about the game, the lore behind it, the magic and monsters involved, and as well as the structure of the class that I choose.

Edit 2: if it wasn't obvious I'll be going with the video research. =)