Exam 1

Question 1

types of myths

Answer 1

• narratives of cosmic existence
• revelations of human relationships w/ gods
• hero quests
• stories of mysterious places/things

Question 2

ways myths can be conveyed

Answer 2

orally, prose, poetry, visual imagery, music

Question 3

define myth

Answer 3

a traditional or legendary story that may not have any basis of fact or a natural explanation; concerned w/ deities & explains some practice or natural phenomenon

Question 4

define epic

Answer 4

long poem usually centered around a hero and his great achievements

Question 5

define allegory

Answer 5

a representation of an abstract/spiritual meaning through concrete/material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another

Question 6

define parable

Answer 6

short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson

Question 7

define fable

Answer 7

a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often w/ animals & inanimate objects as characters

Question 8

define fairy tale

Answer 8

a story, usually for children, about magical creatures (elves, dragons, etc.)

Question 9

define legend

Answer 9

a non-historical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times & popularly accepted as historical

Question 10

define folklore

Answer 10

the traditional beliefs, legends, or customs of a people (stories specific to a culture)

Question 11

define wives’ tales

Answer 11

regarded as superstition (pejorative term)

Question 12

define symbol

Answer 12

something representing something else, especially a material object standing for something more abstract

Question 13

define metaphor

Answer 13

literary comparisons that use an image, story, or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea

Question 14

purposes of myths

Answer 14

communicate information, day-to-day living, spiritual, expression of individual thought, social and political purposes, delight

Question 15

steps for assessing a myth

Answer 15

1) description
2) analysis
3) evaluation

Question 16

describing a myth

Answer 16

• origins, culture, & authorship
• genre
• historical, philosophical, religious, or scientific references
• language/style (poetry or prose)
• characters & plot
• mood (emotions evoked in reader)
• function (purpose)

Question 17

analyzing a myth (questions to ask)

Answer 17

• What is the primary metaphor?
• What is the human experience or universal tendency that has been revealed?
• Are archetypes used; if so, what part do they play in the revelation?
• Is there room for interpretation – will the author and reader come to the same conclusion?

Question 18

define archetype

Answer 18

a universally understood symbol, term, or pattern of behavior - prototypes upon which others are copied, patterned, or evaluated; can be seen as either the ideal (Plato) or a stereotype (pejorative)

Question 19

William Doty’s “Toolkit” for approaching myths (4 questions)

Answer 19

1) The Socio-Political: myth as a reflection of culture, hierarchies
2) The Psychological: myth as a study of the subconscious
3) The Literary/Textual: myth studied as pure literature (as a novel)
4) The Structural: myth defining universal themes, duality concepts

Question 20

define mythos

Answer 20

concerns what is thought to be timeless and not constant in our existence; not concerned with practical matters but with meaning

Question 21

define logos

Answer 21

the rational, pragmatic, scientific thought that enables people to function well in the world

Question 22

conventions of a classic myth (7 elements)

Answer 22

1) a hero
2) supernatural power(s)
3) a monster or demon
4) a problem
5) a tool, object, clue, concept, or idea that can assist the hero to win
6) a beautiful maiden or princess
7) a person who helps the hero (sidekick)

Question 23

Joseph Campbell’s definition of myth

Answer 23

• based on traditions or legends
• attempt to explain the universe, supernatural forces
• have a moralistic point of view consistent w/ cultural values

Question 24

Joseph Campbell’s 4 functions of myth

Answer 24

1) mystical: discovering the unknown - experiencing the universe
2) cosmological: showing the shape of the universe through reason & thereby revealing the mystery
3) sociological: validating the social order; ethics & morality
4) pedagogical: how to deal with daily life, circumstances

Question 25

types of creation myths

Answer 25

• ex nihilo: thoughts, breath of a divinity (“out of nothing”)
• earth-diver: messenger/god recovering mud from primordial ooze
• division of primordial unity such as the earth from the sky…or a cosmic egg
• dismemberment of a primordial being
• emergence: a series of trials from the depths