What is a myth Myths are traditional stories

What is a myth? Myths are traditional stories that serve many purposes: • Myths give meaning to life • Myths explain the unexplainable (How did I get here? ) • Myths explain natural phenomena • Myths provide guidelines for living

Myths have…. (according to our discussion) • Gods who create the earth, humans and animals-often out of common materials. • Gods that have human characteristics • Conflict • Answers to the questions: Why am I here? Why do things happen? • A moral or lesson

Mythic Pattern • These elements often occur as a mythic pattern. • Many myths contain these elements and they occur over and over again. Moral or Lesson Situation or Challenge Main character goes on a journey Resolution: Problem solved Confrontation

CHALLENGE • There is usually a problem, situation or challenge that confronts the main character. • This is where the main character usually experiences conflict

JOURNEY • Very often, the main character embarks on a journey, either to meet the challenge or to solve the problem presented.

CONFRONTATION • The situation or challenge is resolved by the main character. • Here, the main character finds the answers, defeats an enemy, or learns something essential.

RESOLUTION • The mythic character solves the problem and thus, the myth is concluded.

LESSON OR MORAL • There is a lesson or “moral to the story”. • In its conclusion, the myth provides us with an answer, an explanation, or an important idea.

Mythic Pattern Review • Purposes of myth include……… • Often, these occur in a mythic cycle. • Many myths have a mythic pattern. The mythic pattern often contains these: __________ _____