World Myths Unit Essential Question: How are the stories (narratives!) from across the world similar? Unit Terms/Literary Vocabulary (See Back for Archetypes) AUTHOR’S PURPOSE: The author’s motivation or reason for writing a text. MYTH: a story passed down orally that explains the way the world came to be, a cultural belief, or a mysterious natural phenomenon. (Origin myths explain the beginning of life, death, etc.) Types of Creation Myths: 1. Earth Diver Example: Cheyenne; Siberian 2. Dismembered God/Goddess Example: Norse 3. Spoken into Existence Example: Genesis 4. Union of Mother Earth and Father Sky Example: Egyptian Creation Creation Myth Reading Comprehension Questions 1. How does “How the World Was Made” differ from the Norse Creation Myth video? The tone is one of the primary things that distinguishes the stories. HTWWM is light-hearted, innocent, and cheerful, whereas the Norse Creation Myth is violent, aggressive, and shocking. 2. What is the cultural significance of a “little coot” having such a central role in creation? In other words, what can readers learn about Cheyenne beliefs about nature and animals from this myth? Since the “little coot” is an insignificant bird (it’s a bird that can barely fly!) and it has a primary role in the world’s creation, one can assume all creatures have importance to the Cheyenne people. 3. Note the story of man and woman’s formation on page 3. How does this connect to Genesis? Both stories describe the creation of human beings. This connects to Genesis because there is a reference to ribs in both texts. World Myths - Archetypes Archetype: 1. the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype. 2. (in Jungian psychology) a collectively inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc., universally present in individual psyches. World Myths – Archetype Examples Definition or Characteristics Myth, Folktale, or Literary Example Modern Example Trickster: an agent of change clever, manipulative, often acts without full consideration of outcome Coyote from Coyote and the Origin of Death The Joker from The Dark Knight The Hyenas from The Lion King Villain: an agent of evil clever, manipulative, selfish often antagonist Seth from Osiris and Isis Scar from The Lion King Hero: an agent of good clever, loyal, courageous often protagonist Hector from The Iliad Dante? Achilles? Frodo from The Lord of the Rings Batman from The Dark Knight Mother/ Nurturer: Protective, supportive, life-giving Grandmother Turtle from HTWWM Earth from AQWF Fairy Godmother from Cinderella NOT Stepmother! Mentor: Focuses, drives, guides, and prepares the hero Virgil from Dante’s Inferno Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings Alfred from The Dark Knight Attempts to derail, Fear from Dante’s Inferno Temptress: The Ring from The Lord of the Rings The Hero’s Journey 1. Call to Adventure 7. Applying the Goal/ Lesson Known/Familiar World 2. Crossing the Threshold 6. Return Home Unknown/World of Adventure 5. Achieving the Goal 4. Temptation 3. Trials