...fairytales contain character archetypes, but they also include situational archetypes such as quests, impossible tasks, or the triumphs of the poor. Although all fairytales have different plots, they are all extremely similar to each other due to the common motifs and archetypes that are present in all fairytale stories. To determine whether a story is a fairytale or not is incredibly easy because one can easily discover numbers of motifs and archetypes that are exhibited throughout the story. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is a story about a girl named Dorothy who is sent to fulfill arduous tasks and lengthy quests in order to find her way back home. As she tries to find her return home, she has many rough encounters with evil but is assisted by various characters and eventually returns home safely. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz would be considered a fairytale because of the common motifs and archetypes that are present and consistent throughout the story. The motifs and archetypes in the story are the hero, the trickster, the talking animals or objects, the glorified human strength of kindness, and the guardian. The hero archetype in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz proves that this story is a fairytale and is evident through the actions of Dorothy. Dorothy is a little girl from Kansas that is taken away from her homeland by a cyclone that took her and her house into a wonderful country known as the Land of Oz. Dorothy is considered the hero archetype because the story revolves...
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...Before the written word, the printing press, computers, modems, the Internet and all other communication methods, people passed their beliefs, their history and their values from generation to generation through storytelling and oral tradition. Important aspects of every culture were documented in myths. Creation myths explained how a people came to be, giving them a spiritual/religious connection to a much larger universe filled with the unexplained. In addition, creation myths explained a culture’s origin, history, deities and heroes. Myths gave a culture a clear connection throughout the ages. These myths were passed on through generations to become an integral part of many cultures. Myths helped make order out of chaos, explained things in nature that could not be readily understood. Myths, frequently, expressed ideas and concepts that were common to all human beings. Questions about good and evil, life and death, fear and anxiety, heroes and heroic feats, punishment for breaking cultural values are present in every culture. The “why” of existence crosses cultural, racial and geographic challenges. These topics were the basis for many myths. The myths created to address these topics were frequently variations of the same or similar stories/oral traditions. Collectively, these universal themes or questions are referred to as universal myths. Myths existed before there was art and before the written word. The great mythic themes were known before literature. Myths existed...
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...Literary Criticism Review Paradigm: a framework containing your basic assumptions, ways of thinking and methodology about how something should be done, made or thought about. Cognitive dissonance (psychology): the excessive mental stress and discomfort experienced by the individual who: * Holds 2+ contradictory beliefs, ideas, of values simultaneously * Is confronted by new info that conflicts with existing BIV Is/ought dilemma: us aging -> the world as we wish to be OR the world as it actually is HISTORICAL LENS/NEW HISTORICAL LENS Historical criticism -> insisted we need to know a literary piece, that we need to know authors bio, social background, ideas during that time, cultural milieu (environment) New historicism New Historicism: seeks to find meaning in a text by considering the work within framework of prevailing ideas/assumptions of its era. *All about paying close attention to historical context of literary works (e.g: poems, novels, plays) GOALS: 1) Study how a work of literature reflects its historical/sociocultural context 2) Understand how literary works comments on and relates to its context Therefore, approach is interdisciplinary Example of this lens: Always by Erasure MARXIST LENS (Karl Heinrich Marx + Friedrich Engles) * A form of critique for interrogating all societies and their texts in terms of certain specific issues like race, class, and the attitudes shared within a given culture (see terms) * Marxist critique may...
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...Krystal Jones Mrs. Labouchere 10th lit/ comp February 18, 2012 Zeus from Pandora’s Box is classified as the trickster because he tricked man and doomed the world with evil things. The Greek myth, “Pandora’s Box”, the author uses Zeus as a trickster to portray a theme that we should never trust our enemies no matter how good they pretend to be. Zeus’ precise will to punish early mankind for having any benefit through the tricks that Prometheus, the divine benefactor of human beings, played at Zeus’ expense. In the beginning of the story, Zeus thought that since he was the chief god, anything he wanted went his way. Back then, at any meal, gods and goddesses were allowed to pick out what they desired before any other person. So Zeus , being the chief god, “took the largest portion he could see” thinking it was covered with the most meat. When he found out that Prometheus replaced the actual meat with bones, his anger level rose very quickly and that’s when he decided to seek revenge. Zeus thought that just because he was the chief god, every best thing would be made just for him and him alone to devour( in this case). Even though he is chief god, he should at least be considerate of others and not get mad because his expectations were not met. After finding out what Prometheus had done to him, Zeus “declared that men would never have the luxury of fire on earth”. If anybody knew what...
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...University of Phoenix Material Deities and Lesser Spirits Worksheet Choose one myth from each of the following myth categories: the Supreme Being, the Great Mother, the dying god, and the trickster. Answer the following questions: Supreme Being Myth |Myth: |Religion or culture of origin: | |Yahweh |Hebrew | What are the characteristics of the Supreme Being? The Supreme Being according to Hebrew scripture is called Yahweh. Yahweh is the “sky storm god” (Leeming, 1990, p. 130). The Hebrew Supreme being is strong, he can “shut up the sea with doors”, “put wisdom in the inward part”, “give understanding to the heart” (Leeming, 1990, p. 131). Yahweh has the ability to part the light, change seasons, and changes the weather. How did the Supreme Being create humanity? According to Hebrew myth the Supreme Being created humanity from the ground, in his image, from the breath of Yahweh, and no other creature is created with his likeness (Bergant, & Karris, 1992, p. 41). Great Mother Myth |Myth: |Religion or culture of origin: | |Nut |Egypt | What are the characteristics...
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...A True Hero Myth Hollywood, California is the cinematic capital of the United States and consequently the world. Actors and their movies are valued on extraordinary levels. People of the American culture know more about the characters and plots of films more than they know about world events. What makes a cinematic movie a huge cultural phenomenon? Why are the characters and plots so intriguing that people spend money to see them time after time? There is not much of a difference between the generalized synopses of movies, which stem from common stories. These common stories are known as myths. In the Signs of Life in the USA anthology, Linda Seger explains in her article “Creating the Myth”, myths are stories of a protagonist character, who is the hero that goes on a journey to seek a solution to an issue. From one culture to the next, these stories are universally known within different contexts. In the modern American culture, heroes define the action movie genre. The 2010 version of the film, Clash of the Titans reiterates a well-known Greek character, Perseus. Perseus, who is half man-half god, goes on a hero’s quest to save humanity and the heavenly Gods from the evilness of Hades and his Underworld minions. The structure of this movie creates a connection between the viewer and the hero through the phases of the mythical and archetypal characters and this allows for a successful cinematic experience. The hero myth according to Seger shows a change within a hero through...
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...SYMBOLS, ARCHETYPES & MOTIFS Symbols Three categories: Archetypal – The first symbols of humankind that have replicated themselves in stories throughout the ages across all cultures. They appear in the stories of groups from cavemen to 21st century authors. The term “archetype” was coined by Karl Jung who used them as the basis of “collective unconscious” theory. Cultural – As cultural groups use archetypal symbols to represent their values, fears, beliefs, and expectations, these objects take on meaning specific to that group. For example, the cross is an ancient archetypal symbol. When cultural groups adopt it, the meanings become both universal and specific. For most cultures the cross holds spiritual significance; hence its archetypal meaning. For Christians the cross takes on specific representation of Christ’s crucifixion. Nuance – These objects take on symbolic meaning in the work in which they appear. Modern writers often create their own symbols by repeatedly using the object in meaningful ways. For example, Golding used the conch shell to represent order and governmental control. NOTABLE ARCHETYPAL SYMBOLS, CHARACTERS, AND STORY PATERNS Characters: Hero (Epic, Classical, Romantic, Realistic, Anti-Hero) Outcast, Scapegoat, Trickster, Platonic Ideal, Monster, Temptress, Star-crossed lovers, Clown/jester, Prophet Story Patterns: Rite of Passage/Initiation, Creation, Fall, Expulsion, Death & Rebirth, Journey, Quest Symbols: (Archetypal symbols have...
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...Isabel Mendoza English 12 S1 Anna Dowlen 12 May 2016 Odysseus the Hero By definition, a hero is someone who is admired for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Odysseus represents the definition of an archetypal hero gorgeously merely from the fact that he receives super-natural help from the gods. He resembles his home (Ithaca) in the way that puts him as the main protagonist based upon his exceptional morals, which were considered to be boundless courage and respect for the gods and their traditions. With his outstanding qualities he is looked upon for guidance throughout the story as he tries to overcome the many obstacles that stand in his way as well. Odysseus is an archetypal hero mainly from the fact that he receives help from the gods. For example, Euanthes who grants Odysseus in his trouble gifts that will get him and his crew the opportunity to regain their strength. He also receives help from an entity named Dawn. In a way this character represents Odysseus and almost foretells the struggles he will later be facing. In a section he introduces this entity, “Young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shone once more we all turned out, intrigued to tour the island.” From there we can see the struggles he faces with himself to overcome the many obstacles that Zeus inflicts on Odysseus in hopes to prevent his journey to go any further. Another characteristic of an archetypal character is one in which all heroes contain a flaw that prevents them...
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...Reporter: Rubelle Hope T. Bantayan BSED-III ENGLISH Glen Serrano Topic: Types of Characters in Fiction In fictional literature, authors use many different types of characters to tell their stories. Different types of characters fulfill different roles in the narrative process, and with a little bit of analysis, you can usually detect some or all of the types below. * Major or central characters are vital to the development and resolution of the conflict. In other words, the plot and resolution of conflict revolves around these characters. * Minor characters serve to complement the major characters and help move the plot events forward. * Dynamic - A dynamic character is a person who changes over time, usually as a result of resolving a central conflict or facing a major crisis. Most dynamic characters tend to be central rather than peripheral characters, because resolving the conflict is the major role of central characters. * Static - A static character is someone who does not change over time; his or her personality does not transform or evolve. * Round - A rounded character is anyone who has a complex personality; he or she is often portrayed as a conflicted and contradictory person. * Flat - A flat character is the opposite of a round character. This literary personality is notable for one kind of personality trait or characteristic. * Stock - Stock characters are those types of characters who have become conventional or stereotypical through repeated...
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...and the Shape-Shifting Wolves or Werewolves creates a classic theme of Good vs Evil which lends itself to an enjoyable story. K’wa’iti is one with many names Dokibatt, the Transformer or Changer. In Quileute Legend he is often referred to as the Trickster. Trickster tales are found throughout many Native American tribes. In these tales, the trickster can perform tricks often attributed to having supernatural powers. Perhaps, it is just illusion rather than some divine power he is able to come back from the dead, shape-shift at times, and perform tasks similar to the creator of all things. But, if it is just illusion then why does the beaver now have a paddle tail? The trickster is an similar to a performing magician, using his powers he is able to create and make permanent the illusion. K’wa’iti does not follow the rules of the nature, many times maliciously, however generally there is a positive outcome of his meddling. His rule breaking ways take the form of thievery and tricks. K’wa’iti can be smart at times in dealing with conflict, however he is not perfect as he can make unwise decisions that leads to more turmoil. But in most legends things unfold as they should and all is not lost. Additional Native American Trickster Tales Manabozho then gathered up his birds, and taking them out upon the sandbar buried them–some with their heads protruding, others with the feet sticking out of the sand....
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...For this essay we were asked to pick two creation myths from two different cultures and discuss/compare and contrast them. For this I chose Out of the Blue and The Creation in the Americas. Out of the Blue is a myth from the Iroquois tribe. In this myth a women is instructed by her father to marry a stranger. This stranger is a magician/sorcerer. This magician put the women through a series of tests to see if she was fit enough to be his wife and she passed and he wed her. On this man’s property there was a tree that the women loved to sit under and converse with her father’s spirit and other spirits. The man falls ill and there is nothing that is working or that his doctors can do to make him better. He is advised to uproot the tree and trick the women into falling into the hole where the tree once stood. Once she fell in he was to put the tree back. All this because he felt she was more powerful than he. When the women fell into this hole she forgot her life up until that point. This new world was very different for her. None of the beings were like her. She dreamed for a time and when she came to she remembered her life before. In this new world the woman has a daughter. The woman’s daughter later has offspring of her own (Leonard, S., & McClure, M. (2004). Myth and Knowing. : McGraw-Hill). The Creation in the Americas is a Mayan myth. In this myth, in the beginning there is only the sky and the sea. There is nothing else. There were beings with green...
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...Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures Jessica McTavish HUM 105 January 21, 2013 Roxanne Russell Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures Myths are everywhere and so it seems there are many different cultures have their own beliefs of how they were created. There is a significant amount of importance of how certain cultures worlds were created and what they need to continue to believe so that nothing changes with the cycles of how they live. The creators of the myths that are with the different cultures have Gods that they praise and believe in so that they have what they need and if they would not worship the creators there would be problems the people would have to face. Inca Creation Pachacamac was the brightest creator that the Incans worship and follow. Pachacamac is the sun and he was the brightest in the sky that no one could see anything else. The night skies were very dark so he created the stars, plants and the moon, which the moon was Pachamama and she became his wife. Pachacamac and Pachamama created a son and daughter which were created out of pity to help the people. The son helped teach the people how to plow and plant the fields and how to build houses. The daughter taught the women the art of weaving and how to prepare food. The children spoke highly of Pachacamac and the rules, along with be fair and kind to one another and to not forget their creator. With everything they were taught all Inca cities were divided into northern and southern halves, representing...
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...Every culture has a myth that has been told about the development of that particular culture. For example how beings first got on earth, how they were created, how the earth and sky were created and even how the animals were created. The Navajo culture resides over the areas of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The Egyptian culture resides in Egypt which is located in northeastern Africa. The Navajo and Egyptian creation myths share some similarities and also some differences. Both of these creation myths go into to extensive detail about the cycle of creation. The creator for the Egyptian Atum was neither male nor female. The significance of his gender was that he could join himself to produce his own children. Atum joined with his shadow to give birth to his son Shu whom he had spit up and made the god of air. Atum also gave birth to a daughter Tefnut whom he had vomited up and made god of mist and moisture. While the Egyptian creation myth goes into detail about how the creator Atum created his children the Navajo creation myth does not. It is told that when the Navajos came out of the first world they consisted of six beings. Begochiddy child of the sun was the creator of all things and his beings were first man, first woman, salt woman, fire god, and coyote. The development of these two cultures differs because they Navajo went through many different underworlds before finding stability while the Egyptian did not. Atums children Shu and Tefnut produced Geb the earth and nut...
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...Theories of Myth Stephanie Gonsalves University of Phoenix HUM/105 Liz Labby March 29, 2011 Theories of Myth Myth is defined as a sacred narrative. The word myth means story or word. According to M. Magoulick, What is myth, “myths articulate how characters undergo an ordered sequence of events. The term myth has come to refer to a certain genre or category of stories that share characteristics that make this genre distinctly different from other genres of oral narratives, such as legends and folktales. Many definitions of myth repeat similar general aspects of the genre and may be summarized thus: Myths are symbolic tales of the distant past (often primordial times) that concern cosmogony and cosmology (the origin and nature of the universe), maybe connected to belief systems or rituals, and may serve to direct social action and values” (Magoulick, 2000). A myth refers to stories that tell about the beginning of humans and the cosmos. In most cultures a myth is a strong belief. Some take it as a source of spiritual growth, while others don’t believe in myths at all. In most cultures the people see in myth the distinct character of their culture, while others only see patterns repeating. Some believe myths to be real and contemporary, while others think of it as far gone and over with. I believe myths to be a legend of ancestry that has both true and false facts to the narrative and in most cases myths are only believed to be true in a certain culture...
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...RPH 351 Haruka Koda (A1167731) 7/01/14 Transcending Myths: Trickster “The Power of Black Music: Interpreting its History from Africa to the United States”, by Samuel A. Floyd, observes a new way of listening to the music of black America, and appreciating its profound contribution to American music. Examining folklore, myths, music, and rituals, Floyd offers cultural heritage in modernism. He recognizes European influences, while demonstrating how much black music has continued to share with its African counterparts. One of these elements that African music has attributed is the element of “Tricksters.” Although Tricksters is a motif existent in times before Chris, Tricksters have been transmitted to be taught and learned in cultures in the West and Japan today. The archetypal “Trickster” is allegorical or a metaphorical teaching in stories of a polytheistic culture and religion. According to Floyd, in African stories, “Trickster tales are not just for humor, but to instill discipline and ingrain fear, a sense of accomplishment, pride, and humility”1 Floyd continues on to explain that stories, such as one’s with Tricksters, are transmitted into words and edited into methods for people to understand it better. Music is the example that he gives, noting that both people within and out of the culture will have ...
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