Myth Essay (Part 1)

1. Myth Essay (Part 1) World Literature Mr. Brennan

2. Do-Now 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.

3. AGENDA SWBATcompose a thesis statement and an outline in preparation for composing an analytical essay on myth and modern theory. Learning Objective • Review: Wiegle • Mini-Lecture: Myth Essay • Mini-Lecture: Thesis Statement • Workshop: Thesis Statement & Outline Finish Your Essay’s Thesis, Outline, and Quotes Exam on Myth and Theory – Wednesday Essay on Myth and Theory – due Tuesday Homework Reminders

4. Campbell’s Perspective on Myth In the long view of the history of mankind, four essential functions of mythology can be discerned. • The first and most distinctive – vitalizing all – is that of eliciting and supporting a sense of awe before the mystery of being. • 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. • A third function of mythology is to support the current social order, to integrate the individual organically with his group • 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

5. 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 essayin 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)

6. 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

7. A thesis statement is the… …of an essay.

8. A thesis statement must… containan assertion, or a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief address the question: How? address the question: So what?

9. 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.

10. Introductions All introductions: • Hooks the reader’s interest • Summarizes Relevant Background Information • Make connection between topic and thesis • End with a thesis statement

11. Writing a Good Hook 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. • Now, try writing your own!

12. 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.

13. Outline • Introduction: Hook > Contextual Background > Thesis • Body Paragraphs: 1. ? 2. ? 3. ? 4. ? 5. ? • Conclusion: Synthesize thesis and key points into a strong closing statementto produce one or more new insights with analytical depth.

14. Outline Brainstorm 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?

15. 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: • Archetypes and Social Unconscious (ref. Jung) • Oedipus Complex (ref. Freud) • Myth of the Hero (ref. Rank) • Conclusion: Synthesize thesis and key points into a strong closing statementto produce one or more new insights with analytical depth.

16. Outline Brainstorm 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?

17. 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 statementto produce one or more new insights with analytical depth.

18. Outline Brainstorm 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?

19. 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) • Morality (ref. Mark, fear of God’s wrath — Adam/Eve, Cain, Mankind via Flood and Babel) • Hierarchal (ref. Mark, monotheism and ruling class; axis mundi and allocation of land) • Feminist (ref. Weigle, Eve inferior to Adem; dominance of male figures) • Conclusion: Synthesize thesis and key points into a strong closing statementto produce one or more new insights with analytical depth.

20. 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.