Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
creeping around England in disguise to see what's been going on in his absence,
throws off his outer robe to reveal the rampant lions on his surcoat. Robin and all
his men instandy recognize h i m as the King, falling to their knees in reverent awe. It
represents a moment in the story when the tide decisively has turned.
A recognition scene makes a good climactic reversal when a character has
been going around in disguise, like Tootsie or Mrs. Douhtfire. Often it represents the
catastrophe of unmasking that the hero has dreaded but it also is the opportunity
for emotional honesty and self-acceptance. T h a t the apparent disaster turns out to
be the means of dramatic fulfillment makes for a double reversal.
7 . ROMANTIC REVERSALS
A kind of current, like magnetic current or electric current, flows through the invis
ible lines that connect characters in stories and people in relationships. W e feel a
annaabi.ee 
