The Ordinary World Analysis

Superior Essays
The Refusal of the Call The Refusal of the Call comes not from the hero’s unwillingness to act, but rather, from being blocked by the novel’s Threshold Guardian – Mr. Dursley (Vogler 110). Vogler states, "Heroes who overcome their fear and commit to an adventure may still be tested by powerful figures who raise the banner of fear and doubt, questioning the hero's very worthiness to be in the game. They are Threshold Guardians, blocking the heroes before the adventure has even begun" (111). Despite Harry’s attempt to accept the Call and return to school, Mr. Dursley does everything in his power to try and prevent Harry from ever leaving the house. After Mr. Dursley discovers Harry is not supposed to use magic outside of school, Harry loses …show more content…
Vogler states, "The audience's first impressions of the Special World should strike a sharp contrast with the Ordinary World... A Special World, even a figurative one, has a different feel, a different rhythm, different priorities and values, and different rules" (136). The contrast between the Ordinary World and the Special World in this novel is extremely distinct and aids in molding Harry's character. In the Ordinary World, Harry is a nobody surrounded by family who is disgusted by his true nature (Rowling 35). However, in the Special World, Harry is a legendary wizard admired by all. This leads to many enemies and tests that challenge Harry's being. Harry's two biggest enemies are fellow student, Draco Malfoy, and dark wizard, Voldemort. Draco is a rival character, "not out to kill the hero, but is just trying to defeat him in the competition [of wizardry]," (Vogler 138). As an example, after Harry learns that Malfoy has “bought” his way onto the Slytherin Quidditch team, Harry realizes that this was only out of spite for Harry’s success as a Seeker and he is now tasked with dealing with a second antagonist in his life (Rowling 111). Another great test Harry faces is that of his encounter with Aragog – leader of the Spiders in the Forbidden Forest. After a hint received as Hagrid was being forced to leave, Harry and Ron realize that a clue to uncovering what is …show more content…
Unfortunately, this time, Harry must face Lord Voldemort as himself (Tom Riddle) rather than a face guiding another like in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Tom Riddle, who Harry has communicated with before via diary, reveals that his Muggle-name “Tom Marvolo Riddle” is a surname for his most intimate self, Lord Voldemort (Rowling 314). Shocked and in disbelief, “Harry’s brain seemed to have jammed. He stared numbly at Riddle, at the orphaned boy who had grown up to murder Harry’s own parents, and so many others…” (Rowling 314). It is in this moment when Harry dies and becomes reborn again, facing his “greatest fear” in the ultimate stage of crisis (Vogler 156). Inflicted by a Basilisk fang and seeing his vision become fuzzy, it appears Harry is slowly approaching death’s doorstep. However, as audience’s often love to “see heroes cheat death,” Harry returns through the tears of a Phoenix and rids the World, once more, of Lord Voldemort (Vogler

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