Turtle's Back

5) The right- handed twin is truthful but the left- handed twin is not, the left is rebellious and wants to do things himself, while the right follows the rules and regular ways of doing things. Although the left-handed twin has traits that the Iroquois do not want their

Creation stories are symbolic accounts of how the world and its inhabitants came about. These stories first developed in oral traditions, so there are multiple accounts of them from different cultures and societies. The Babylonian Creation story, the Genesis Creation story, and the Sumerian story of the Creation of Enkidu are examples of these and the similarities are interesting. As Dennis Bratcher states, “Because of many parallels with the Genesis account, some historians concluded that the Genesis account was simply a rewriting of the Babylonian Story. As a reaction, many who wanted to maintain the uniqueness of the Bible argues either that there were no real parallels between the accounts or that the Genesis narratives were

It’s very interesting how this myth explains how we started in this underworld in which we first lived in, and yet again like other myths mentions how we all lived in darkness. I really liked how this myth tells how animal and sea creatures came to be. They all lived in darkness and all sough light just like in other myths and not as desperate still managed to create a mountain in which they climbed, with help of a fly and spider they managed to escape darkness in which the underworld had yet again become and set foot in what we call mother earth. Oh and their explanation as to what happens when we die and why this happens is very much interesting to say the least. To my understanding of this myth, they all spoke the same language, whether it be the animals or humans but Hactcin thought this was boring which is why the animals and humans have different sounds and languages in which we communicate with I found pretty cool. This myth reminds me of that myth that describes how earth was made from a human corps except in this story a man is made from different materials and from a lice on this man’s head and dreams a women was made. In this myth the supernatural beings play a bigger role then man and women as they are not given names, seems like humans are merely pawns in this myth with not knowing better than to seek light and follow what little

He maintains his focus on Greek myths not only because of the sheer number of myths around the world, making it impossible to interpret and clarify them all, but also because European men, who would have been familiar with the myths from Greece, write most of the classics we analyze. He explains that these myths are not only a part of them but also “so much a part of the fabric of our consciousness, of our unconscious really, that we scarcely notice” (Foster, 51). Which suggests that, we can recognize Greek myths even if we do not realize it. With this simple fact presented to us, we no longer wonder why allusions to Greek myths have been used since they emerged and are still employed today. Myths are often exercised as “overt subject matter for poems and paintings and operas and novels” but more often “writers have…borrowed from and emulated” these myths (Foster, 52, 53). Instead of explaining every detail about every character, place or moment authors rely on other stories, such as myths, to expand and develop their tale. The writer will subtly hint at myths and hope you recognize their allusions to these old legends. Since we established that, we know these myths, whether consciously or not, we can take these allusions and decipher any hidden meanings the author has for us, giving each story a new level.

In the story “Coyote Finishes His Work” the importance of farming, hunting, and nature is expressed which are all aspects of Native American culture. Coyote teaches the people various life lessons including how to hunt, gather, make shelter, what to wear, and how to dance. The belief in Mother Nature is mentioned which showed that they strongly believed in devoting some parts of their life to her and they had cultural ties to nature. Old Man states that “All people will live together. Earthmother will go back to her first shape and live as a mother among her children. Then things will be made right.” This symbolizes that a higher being will return and create a more desirable living condition for all.

American literature has evolved greatly from the Native Americans to 1870’s. American literature has changed, it teaches us how we have become more independent ourselves. The World on a Turtle’s Back, a myth, The Scarlet Letter, a book in a puritan setting, and A Rose for Emily is a southern gothic story. American literature would not be the same today without these forms of writing. The teachings from these are passed down generation to generation.

Identify a modern “myth,” in 1-2 pages describe it, in 1-2 more pages explain why it is mythical/ draw analogues with myths we have read, then in 3-4 pages analyze its meaning/function in our world.

Before European exploration changed the economic and social patterns of North America, Native tribes were living relatively simplistic lifestyles. Their existence was rooted in the nightly legends told by impassioned orators of their tribe. Oral tradition in Native American tribes was also vital to the consistency of daily life. It taught younger generations the beginnings of the world and their position it. In addition, it began the evolution of the

A written history was not looked at as being that important. The Native Americans don’t recognize time in a linear fashion but more of a circular one.

1. What is a myth? What are they composed of? Are they always false? How do they come into being?

All humans are interested in their origins and trying to account for their existence through creation stories. Native Americans tribes are no different from the rest of humanity. The tribes’ stories explain how people came into existence, how they came to be live on the lands they do and the how people interact with nature and each other. These trends can be seen in the legends of three tribes hailing from New England to the Great Lakes Region.

Native American Literature in the colonial era focused on nature. In the story of the beginning of the world animals play a pivotal role. In “The Sky Tree” the beginning of the world doesn't focus on the beginning of humans, it focuses on the beginning of nature. It also strongly displayed their beliefs that animals play important roles and symbolize more than meets the eye, like Coyote

Stated simply, the word myth, derived from the Greek word mythos, means story (Morford et al., p.3). However, this is an immense understatement; myth is a rich and interpretive source of information. Its value lies in the interpretation of its relationship with humanity and how it influenced, or was influenced by ancient society and culture. Myth has persisted to fascinate people by exploring the meeting place between human desires and morals. Myth uses symbolic characters and fantastic stories to portray the truths and complexities of what it means to be human.

The video talks about twins differences and similarities. It talks about different twins and how they are alike and different. Some twins have bigger bonds than others. For example some twins say they can tell what the other is thinking, even from miles away. Some twins can be different by having different weight,handedness, and some can even have their liver on the other side of her body. I think it is more nature after this video because the parents have no control over the genes, and some twins are raised in different households but are almost exactly the same. I think its seventy-five percent nature, and twenty-five percent nurture.

Myths differ from other kinds of signifiers. For one thing, they are never arbitrary. They always contain some kind of analogy, which motivates them. Motivation is necessary to the very duplicity of myth: myth plays on the analogy between meaning and form. There is no myth without motivated form. In contrast to ideas of false consciousness, Myth doesn’t hide things, it distorts them. It alienates the history of the