Mythmaking in the Making

Sylvia A Lopez

English Literature_25

Professor Lennon

January 23, 2017

English_25 is a course that introduces myths from different parts of the world. In this course, we use the text "World Mythology" written by Donna Rosenberg. It is an anthology of the great myths and epics.  According to Donna Rosenberg, the purpose of myths is to explain the nature of the universe or to teach members successful/attitudes behaviors that are recognized in their culture.

There are six kinds of creation myths. The first kind of creation myth is the creation of the entire universe. This myth may begin with: chaotic, formless mass that a god separates, a group of two or more gods who multiply, creator-god brings life to earth in form of plants, animals, and humans. The second kind of creation myth is one that may begin with the origin of their own people which enhances their nationalistic spirit. The third kind of creation myth explains the continued existence of evil in the universe. The fourth kind is when the creator-god must fashion and destroy, usually through a flood, a succession of races. The fifth kind has human beings acquired. (Particular foods and the agricultural tools that permitted them to become civilized.) The last kind of creation myth is the divine figure that teaches agricultural skills to humans. "The Enuma Elish" from Babylon, the "Creation of the Titans" from Greece, and the "Creation Cycle" from Mexico (Toltecaztec) are examples that have this particular myth.

The vocabulary in this course is strictly important in order to have a clear understanding of the type of myths that are being expressed. Matriarchal, Patriarchal, Anthropomorphic, and Succession are four important vocabulary words. Matriarchal is defined as "relating to or denoting a form of social organization in which a woman is the head or denoting an older woman who is powerful within a family or organization". Patriarchal is defined as "Relating to, or characteristic of a patriarch or of, relating to, or characteristic of a system of society or government controlled by men." Anthropomorphic is defined as "relating to or characterized by anthropomorphism or having human characteristics." Succession is defined as "a number of people or things sharing a specified characteristic and following one after the other."