Myth Essay (Part 1)World LiteratureMr. Brennan

Theories on Myth

Identify the major theorists

we have covered within this unit,

and then,

briefly summarize (in a sentence or two)

each of the main perspective on myth.

Do-Now

SWBAT compose a thesis statement and an outline in preparation for composing an analytical essay on myth and modern theory.

1. Review: Wiegle

2. Mini-Lecture: Myth Essay

3. Mini-Lecture: Thesis Statement

4. Workshop: Thesis Statement & Outline

Learning Objective

AGENDA

1. Finish Your Essay’s Thesis, Outline, and Quotes

2. Exam on Myth and Theory – Wednesday3. Essay on Myth and Theory – due Tuesday

HomeworkReminders

Campbell’s Perspective on Myth

In the long view of the history of mankind, four essential functions of mythology

can be discerned.

1. The first and most distinctive – vitalizing all – is that of eliciting and

supporting a sense of awe before the mystery of being.

2. The second function of mythology is to render a cosmology, an image of

the universe that will support and be supported by this sense of awe before

the mystery of the presence and the presence of a mystery.

3. A third function of mythology is to support the current social order, to

integrate the individual organically with his group

4. The fourth function of mythology is to initiate the individual into the

order of realities of his own psyche, guiding him toward his own spiritual

enrichment and realization.

—Joseph Campbell

ESSAY• In a 1250 word essay (approx. 3 pages), analyze

and evaluate one or more creation story, and one

or more modern theory.

• You can structure your essay in two possible ways:

• focus on one (or more) critical theory and

demonstrate how this theory is evident within

various mythological creation stories

• focus on one (or more) mythological creation story

and analyze it through various critical lenses, or

Take a minute to consider what you would like to focus your essay on

(you can always change it later)

THEORISTS

Frazer — Religious (Anthropological) • explains man’s relationship with, and perception of, the natural world,

specifically pertaining to the attempt to satisfy primary needs of survival Rank, Freud, and Jung — Psychological • explains the unifying commonalities among various myths through the myth of

the hero, a psychological expression of man’s desire for independence

Rank and Jung — Psychological• explains the unifying commonalities among various myths through psychological

archetypes and the collective unconscious

Durkheim — Religious (Social)• explains religion’s role in satisfying man’s need for the emotional security

attained through communal living

Mark and Ridley — Social (Marxist) • explain religion’s connection to social warfare, its attempts to establish

legitimacy of power, and its use in the oppression of the masses

Weigle — Social (Feminist)• explains the positive and negative portrayals of femininity in myth and its

implications on contemporary society

A thesis statement is the…

…of an essay.

A thesis statement must…• contain an assertion, or a confident

and forceful statement of fact or belief

• address the question: How?

• address the question: So what?

THESIS STATEMENT EXAMPLES

Psychological / Freud:

The depiction of various parental relationships in various cultural creation myths

provide insights into the human psyche and reveal our continual yearning for

personal independence.

Psychological / Jung:

When viewed as a collection of archetypical representations, cultural creation

myths reveal the universality of mankind unconscious mind.

Religious:

Mythology promotes a religious framework consisting of omnipotent deities as a

means to satisfy mankind’s physical and emotional needs.

Feminist:

By portraying male figures in positions of power and authority, mythological

stories reinforce a patriarchal social system and maintain the continued

oppression of women.

Marxist:

Mythology serves as a means in which to maintain a sovereign’s position of

power and continue the oppression of the masses by instilling fear, while

simultaneously providing hope.

All introductions:

Summarizes Relevant Background Information

Make connection between topic and thesis

End with a thesis statement

Hooks the reader’s interest

Introductions

Writing a Good Hook

Now, try writing your own!

INFORM the READER: Prior to the civil war, thousands of slaves were treated like livestock, sold and traded for money.QUOTE: “It’s been three day’s since we’ve seen the sun” (Lester 4).

APPEAL to the UNIVERSAL (Thematic Focus): A life without freedom, is a life not worth living.

Introduction Hook:

All human societies tell stories concerning the origins of the

cosmos to express their understanding of the world and their

place in it.

Relevant Background (Context Relevant to Thesis):

• What is myth? What is the purpose of myth? Why study

myth? How do modern theorists relate to the study of myth?

Thesis:

Cultural creation myths serve as a foundation for the creation of

human society, and establish , legitimize, and maintain a

society’s hierarchal social structure.

Outline• Introduction: Hook > Contextual Background > Thesis

• Body Paragraphs:

1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

5. ?

• Conclusion: Synthesize thesis and key points into a strong closing

statement to produce one or more new insights with analytical

depth.

Thesis 2:

When viewed as a collection of archetypical

representations, cultural creation myths

provide insights into the human psyche and

reveal our continual earning to gain

independence.

What topics could our body paragraphs

address?

Outline Brainstorm

Outline: Psychological• Introduction: Hook > Contextual Background > Thesis

• When viewed as a collection of archetypical representations, cultural

creation myths provide insights into the human psyche and reveal our

continual earning to gain independence.

• Body Paragraphs:

1. Archetypes and Social Unconscious (ref. Jung)

2. Oedipus Complex (ref. Freud)

3. Myth of the Hero (ref. Rank)

• Conclusion: Synthesize thesis and key points into a strong

closing statement to produce one or more new insights

with analytical depth.

Thesis 1:

Cultural creation myths serve as a foundation

for the creation of human society, and

establish, legitimize, and maintain a society’s

hierarchal social structure.

What topics could our body paragraphs

address?

Outline Brainstorm

Outline: Social• Introduction: Hook > Contextual Background > Thesis

• Cultural creation myths serve as a foundation for the creation of human society, and establish ,

legitimize, and maintain a society’s hierarchal social structure.

• Body Paragraphs:

1. Establishment of Society (man’s social needs)

(ref. Durkheim — myth/religion as social glue)

2. Establishment of Hierarchy Among Societies

(ref Marx — development of axis mundi and establishing ruling class)

3. Legitimacy of Ruler

(ref Marx — ref. Abraham and Emperor Jimmu’s connection to divine)

4. Social Hierarchy Among Class

(ref Marx — ruling class & oppression of the masses via hierarchy of gods)

5. Gender Inequality & The Oppression of Women

(ref Weigle — the inferiority feminine figures)

• Conclusion: Synthesize thesis and key points into a strong closing statement

to produce one or more new insights with analytical depth.

Thesis 3:

Through it's depiction of a monotheistic god

and the actions of individuals, the Judeo-

Christian creation story, “The Book of

Genesis,” provides insight into the human

psyche and established the moral and

hierarchal framework for Judeo-Christian

society.

What topics could our body paragraphs

address?

Outline Brainstorm

Outline: Genesis• Introduction: Hook > Contextual Background > Thesis

• Through it's depiction of a monotheistic god and the actions of individuals, the Judeo-Christian

creation story, “The Book of Genesis,” provides insight into the human psyche and established the

moral and hierarchal framework for Judeo-Christian society.

• Body Paragraphs:

1. Oedipus Complex

(ref. Freud, Adam/Eve’s disobedience towards father; Cain’s desire for attention)

2. Archetypes, Social Unconscious, and the Myth of the Hero

(ref. Jung, Rank, Adam/Eve as metaphor for personal independence)

3. Morality

(ref. Mark, fear of God’s wrath — Adam/Eve, Cain, Mankind via Flood and Babel)

4. Hierarchal

(ref. Mark, monotheism and ruling class; axis mundi and allocation of land)

5. Feminist

(ref. Weigle, Eve inferior to Adem; dominance of male figures)

• Conclusion: Synthesize thesis and key points into a strong closing statement to

produce one or more new insights with analytical depth.

You will now create your own well-developed thesis and outline.

Once I’ve reviewed your outline, You may begin searching for textual

evidence.

Once I’ve reviewed your quotations, you may begin typing your first draft.