Introduction
The flash fiction selection I chose for my performance is the story Mythologies written by R. L. Futrell. I chose this story initially because of the title, having an interest in most cultures ' mythologies and stories I started to read the story. However, upon reading the story I was drawn in by the world surrounding the text. A single paragraph of context is all that is given about why the story is being told. The rest is dedicated to a boring drive to West Virginia and the trivialities of the expedition and the sights, smells, and sounds of the world around them. The apparent lack of a central message is what really drew me towards the story.
Extrinsic Analysis
R. L. Futrell is an author who lives in Xenia, Ohio is known for his works Virginia Adversaria, Zone 3, Harpur Palate, The Cresset Review, Flights!, Poetry Motel, Square Lake, The Tar Wolf Review, and 88: A Journal of Literature and Fine Arts. He also teaches creative writing Cedarville University. In his story he mentions the two stories The Five Ages of Man and the Flood and Prometheus, which are quite telling of the meaning of the story. As with the story the area around the road they are driving on is flooding, not with water however but with rocks and guilt. The Iron age of man, the worst age, according to The Five Ages of Man and the Flood was what Zeus decided to destroy and it is the mobile homes, rusted swing sets and cars that are being destroyed by a group who is not gods but higher on
In old times, humankind has looked to utilize stories to clarify the world in which it lives. Similarly, as old man utilized stories of divine beings and creatures to clarify the world; superior person utilizes stories of exceptional legends and colossal scoundrels to do likewise (Stuller). Comic books are modern mythology, in that they are superior man 's strategy for clarifying their general surroundings through the fantastical. The characters frequently handle such major, philosophical, (Ahrens, Jörn, and Meeting) social and story ideas as the nature of sound and malevolence, man 's inward battle, the wannabe, the women 's activist, and the rescuer.
When examining various cultural myths, one archetype keeps repeating—the image of the quest. This archetype functions with various different mythologies as a method of learning about the world, both its external features and what is inside the self. The quest comes from ancient origins and is found in Classical Western culture, but has been fine tuned through the generations. In its most modern interpretations, there are continuing elements of the age old myth, where extenuating circumstances or hubris, place the hero in turmoil and needing to find an answer. Having additional sexual charges, it is clear that through the quest, adulthood is not only reached but embraced. This answer represents a completeness of being,
The editors of “Flash Fiction” asked themselves the question, “How short can a story be and still truly be a story?” (11). With this in mind, they settled on a maximum word count of 750, with a minimum of 250. They debated keeping it as “one story to a page, just a little book of little stories,” but soon realized that, without the turn of a page during a story, the reader is easily bored (13). Instead, they allowed the stories to begin and end naturally in the book’s layout.
“The Last of the Mythologists” by Kristen Froberg is an article based on novelist or more prefered a mythologist, Charles Dickens publishing a book around Christmas called “The Sledgehammer” which was later well-known as the “A Christmas Carol”. In the seventeenth century, hearing about children at young ages working in copper mines and factories to provide for their family’s gave Dickens the idea to visit these workplaces but also gave him inspiration to create this book on behalf of a poor person’s child and his own personal experience as a child. CHristmas Carol was one of Dickens's work that he decided to perform in front of audiences. In 1867 and 1868 Christmas Carol was very successful after Charles had a tour profiting about $140,000
In Pueblo culture stories are more than memories and ways to escape from a hard day. Stories are
Surrounded by the crackling fire and enchanted nature of North America Native Americans told legends of early human existence, vital to their flourishing community. Among the various forms of these tales were the myth, which embodied the culture, spiritual foundation, and beliefs of many early Native American tribes. Although their myths are not told today they are still remembered and analyzed for the historical insight they provide and convey. Native American myths enabled their society to understand their relationship with the world, as well as being the fundamental attribution of their existence.
of the most expressive and meaningful stories that have lots of great deep meanings. These stories
The very first thing I am able to think of with this is the Bible. It encompasses everything that has
All stories consist of a few common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and movies. They are known collectively as The Hero’s Journey. Understanding these elements and their use in modern writing is the object of our quest. Used wisely, these ancient tools of the storytellers craft still have tremendous power to heal our people and make the world a better place (xxvii).
It is through storytelling, that the rich history of the Native American tribes is alive and well today. It has been shared and preserved and still pays tribute to fallen heroes of the past. It is through these glimpses into the past, and these stories much like the ones that are contained in this book, that you can see what a proud heritage they possess and how in tune with the Earth Native Americans really are.
In “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” Joseph Campbell dives into his theory that every culture’s myths share a sense of universality. In other words, all the myths of each culture stem from a common ancestor, or “idea.” Campbell shows a very headstrong opinion on his theory, as if it is a universal truth that cannot be altered because this theme “will always be the one, shape-shifting yet marvelously constant story that we find.” His use of the word “shape-shifting” insinuates that these myths are different but simply changing slight form from the “original,” which is not an actual myth but a collection of similar myths. The prologue lays out a
The power of storytelling can create connections between people and allow individuals to find their inner
Once there was a woman who told a story. However, she had more than just an entertaining tale to tell. She chose common images that everyone would understand, and she wrapped her story around them, and in this way she was able to teach the people . . .
Storytelling helps other people to emotionally connect themselves to the author so that they know they are not the only ones who are experiencing a painful or exciting experience, and are able to share the same emotions. It often helps other people to know what they should do in order to get over it when it comes to a painful experience. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings explores the life of Maya Angelou and the struggles she has been throughout her childhood to her adulthood. Richard Wagemese’s Indian Horse explores the life of Saul Indian Horse and the struggles he has been through after departing from his family. The power of storytelling can unfold questions which ask the audience of how and why are the events are unfold the
They way stories are told may morph, but never will storytelling cease. From their people skills to their memories, there is no argument that storytellers possess boundless talent and intelligence. They were the first educators. And now, storytelling is a large part of everyday life. The news in the morning, the gossip throughout the day, the casual response to the casual “What’s up?” – It’s all a form of storytelling. Our lives are steeped in it. In almost every conversation a story is told. At every turn a story is born. So we all are storytellers, and the world is our audience, just waiting to hear the gospel leave our