Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
you to enter. T h e message is: T h o s e who are put off by outward appearances cannot
enter the Special World, but those who can see past surface impressions to the inner
reality are welcome.
^ _
In stories, Threshold Guardians take on a fantastic array of forms. T h e y may be
border guards, sentinels, night watchmen, lookouts, bodyguards, bandidos, editors,
doormen, bouncers, entrance examiners, or anyone whose function is to temporarily
block the way of the hero and test her powers. T h e energy of the Threshold Guard
ian may not be embodied as a character, but may be found as a prop, architectural
feature, animal, or force of nature that blocks and tests the hero. Learning how to
deal with Threshold Guardians is one of the major tests of the Hero's Journey.
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