1 Oct 2004 jonas   » (Master)

Having read The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler, as part of the Game Analysis and Design course, it was easy to wonder how the twelve stage model described by Vogler fit into The Matrix.

I began to work on my own comparision, until I found Christof Wolf's comparision. Christof maps the twelve steps a bit different than what I had done. He claims, for example, that Neo refuses the call in the part where he is not able to get out of the office, and therefore is captured by the agents.

My interpretation would have been that his refusal comes when he is first shown the Matrix by Morpheus (remember the scene when he has been hooked up the first time and "pops"?). This also means that my first act of the movie is longer than the one Christof tells.

From that point onwards, my understanding is pretty close to that of Christof, although I believe that the role of the mentor is something that progresses from Trinity to Morpehus to the Oracle.

For anyone who cares, here's my full interpretation:

"Neo is portrayed in his ORDINARY WORLD, in front of his

computer and at work. He receives the CALL TO ADVENTURE

by Morpheus, when they finally meet. When Morpehus shows

him the reality of the Matrix, Neo is RELUCTANT and

REFUSES THE CALL.

Trinity, in her first role as MENTOR,

encourages him to move forward. Neo CROSSES THE FIRST

THRESHOLD by entering the Matrix and learning how to

interact with it. There are then a number of TESTS,

ALLIES, AND ENEMIES introduces which leads to the APPROACH

TO THE INMOST CAVE, where Neo is introduced to the Oracle

and then crosses the second threshold.

When Morpheus is taken by the Agents, Neo recuses him,

thereby enduring the ORDEAL and the ability to save both

of them is the REWARD that he takes back. They are pursued

on THE ROAD BACK by agents which Neo must fight with, only

to be killed by agent Smith and then RESURRECTED by Trinity

when she proclaims his love for him.

Neo now knows that he's the one, which is his ELIXIR that

he returns with towards the end of the movie."

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