So first I read some myths, then I wrote some myths. Now I reflect back on how I feel about it all.... Reading the myths I was impressed by what I read. Most of the myths were not only incredibly insightful, but used plot and character to relay morals in ways I am fairly certain I would not be able to do.
Sure the Indians lived in primitive caves, and had some strange rituals, but they definitely knew how to work out a good story.
Now came the time where I needed to write my own myth- then I really saw the true genius in those ancient stories. I knew I wanted to explain how something came to be, but I really could not figure out how. I can only imagine hundreds of years ago some little boy coming over to his grandfather and asking how those mountains came to be. That is some creative thinking they did!!! I know that this is what those tribes really believed and it wasn't just some quickly concocted story to appease a grand kid- but still you have to admire the creativity way these native people viewed the world. I suppose part of my awe comes from the fact that I know why the seasons change, and to think that there is some goddess taken to the underworld once a year is a little ridiculous, but still.. I can't help but see the creativity those people must have possessed to be able to see their world that way.
I think when it finally comes to when I teach these are important ideas to relay to my students- yeah their explanation my seem crazy now, but think about what information was available then, now think about what they created with it. Pretty cool.
Writing my myth was difficult- I must have changed my topic six times, but in the end I really like my results. I think it was because I finally just let go and had to do what all those old tribes did- take a ridiculous thing and find some ridiculous reason for it, then say it in an interesting way. I don't mean to brag, but I think my final myth turned out pretty darn cool.
About Me
I gave this to my Rabbi for hannukkah
some people don't understand out relationship. To those people I say look at this picture
Monday, April 14, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Hello Rachel,
What an interesting blog! I too find the creativity of myths to be fascinating. To think about all of the work that went into creating a myth is really an awesome thing to contemplate. I think you made a really good point when you commented on the differences between now and the time when the myth was created. Without the internet, television, telephone, or in some cases a library of books, people had to rely on their own knowledge, and the knowledge of those around them to understand the world. Given their resources, some of the myths are quite sophisticated. It is important to emphasize this with children who may laugh at some of the ideas and concepts presented in the myth. As I was writing my myth, I constantly felt that my myth would not measure up to the myths we had read in class. However, once I let go of that, I felt that my myth began to take shape and become more entertaining. It is also interesting to think about how the myth has evolved over the years/centuries. My myth changed by pressing control-save, but their myths underwent oral re-tellings and good old-fashioned pen and paper(or sheepskin, or papyrus, etc).
I look forward to reading your myth!!!
True. The Indians were great stroytellers. They had no written language, so the oral tradition was perfected among their cultures. The reason they came up with the various myths was to explain why the seasons change and how nature works the way it does. I agree with how amazing their creativity was to come up with these gods and people who caused this and that. Writing my myth was pretty easy for me. I had four ideas, narrowed them down to two, and combined them. Then I just got creative and strange. I let my story go where it wanted to go, instead of where I wanted to take it. I had to go back and make sure it contained certain necessary elements of a creation myth, but that was easier than I thought it was going to be. Now I want to read your myth. If you had such trouble and still think it came out pretty cool, it must be good. You didn't mention in what way you will use myth writing in your classroom. Since you had such problems starting out, I'm curious to know what approach you think would be best.
Hi Rachel,
When we started this section on myth's I thought how old fashion. Can we move on to something more current. Well,I was wrong and was suprised at how interested I was with the myths. The indians did have such great creativity and passion for their culture. I think this is what made the myths so unique and entertaining. The simplicy of their lives added to the human exchange with the earth and its seasons.
I think that when we teach this we also have to be creative and get our students to compare the past with the present in relation to the myths. We wrote our own and struggle with them and realized that myths do have meaning.
Now I am off to read your myth :)
Have a nice day.
Elizabeth
Post a Comment