Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
would try to run him off, but the more wise and compassionate Mufasa would let
him approach the child. I had the impulse to accentuate the ritualistic aspects of
the moment, referring to the rituals of baptism and christening, or the coronation
ceremonies in which a new king or queen is anointed on the forehead with holy oil.
Rafiki would bless the baby lion, perhaps with berry juice or some substance from
the jungle. One of the animators said Rafiki already carried a stick with strange
gourds tied to it, and came up with the idea of Rafiki cracking open one of the
gourds in a mysterious gesture and marking the lion cub with a colorful liquid.
The Mentor marks the Hero as a chosen leader.
I thought, too, of the presentation rituals in various religions, in which the
holy books, images, and artifacts are held up for veneration. I remembered that the
Catholic churches I grew up with had stained-glass windows strategically placed to
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