Myth Essay (Part 1)
World Literature
Mr. Brennan
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.
AGENDA
Learning
Objective
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
Homework
Reminders
1. Finish Your Essay’s Thesis, Outline, and
Quotes
2. Exam on Myth and Theory – Wednesday
3. Essay on Myth and Theory – due Tuesday
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.
Introductions
All introductions:
 Hooks the reader’s interest

Summarizes Relevant Background Information

Make connection between topic and thesis

End with a thesis statement
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!
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.