Mariner Software Contour for Windows - Manual (Page 43)

In all three of these cases are heroes who were living through their everyday existence and through the unsolicited help of an
ally, they are pushed out of their complacency and into the start of the extraordinary. .
Plot Point 8
The Hero seems ready to move forward toward goal and/or Stakes Character, but can’t.
Now that an ally has moved the Hero towards his goal, the Hero must decide whether to remain bound by his
ordinary life or go for something bigger. Often the Hero is a Reluctant Hero and needs some prodding.
Nowhere is this more true than on the personal level. To change the course of oneʼs life is difficult;. Often, when
the opportunity is presented, the heart says “yes”, while the mind starts raising all sorts of very reasonable objec-
tions. In the classic mythic structure this is the Call to Adventure/Refusal of the Call.
• In TITANIC, Jack sees Rose for the first time but doesnʼt dare go after her. Heʼs an itinerant artist traveling
in steerage, sheʼs a rich girl in first class.
• In STAR WARS, Luke is asked to by Obi-Wan to join him in his quest to save the Princess and become a
Jedi, but Luke canʼt leave the farm with all the work that needs doing.
• In LIAR, LIAR, Fletcher wants to take his son to wrestling, but the big case is dropped into his lap that can
make him partner and he has to prepare for the trial.
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