Creating a myth, much as creating poetry, helped me to understand how the elements of mythology work together. More so than from just reading mythology, which i am known to do. I think a lot of people learn better by doing than just be studying, or at least they learn some other element than they would just by studying something. So creating mythology serves to broaden my understanding of it. It also helps me to become engaged in it. Mythology is already an interesting subject to me and this puts me in the middle of it which makes me more interesting to me. And I'm already a fan of me.
Besides being informative, writing mythology is really a fun writing exercise because it is not governed by the same literary rules that I am used to in academic writing. Suspension of reality and disbelief can be at an extreme because its ok to be completely magical and un-real. At the same time, plot structure and even grammar can be played with because things don't necessarily have to flow perfectly from one thing to another. Much mythology has somewhat difficult to follow plot lines and a lot of those old crazy people didn't know anything about grammar anyway.
I would use this in a classroom to get students thinking about mythology and get interested in it. Like the found poems, mythology can be a safe way to be creative while not having to be overly self-conscious because its just a crazy myth. Students can have fun with it and create some strange magical stories that don't even have to make that much sense. It can get them writing and even having fun with writing. Also, as I said before, actually doing it can help them to gain a fuller understanding of the elements of mythology and how they work together in the actual stories.
Peanut Butter!
5 comments:
Did "Peanut Butter" put you to the 250 words?
Anyways, I completely agree with your post (for once)! Especially when you talk about how myth writing adds another level to myth studying. The doing is as important, if not moreso, than the simple reading. You have to make the words and ideas come alive, and there is no better way than to actually put them to use in your own writing.
Like you, I found the writing of mythology to be extremely fun and liberating. There seem to be no limits involved - characters can do whatever they wish, the plot can take dramatic turns with little to no explination, and the rules of writing can be kicked out the door (well, some of them). Reality need not be anywhere in sight, either.
In addition to all of this, I think it is really interesting to see who decided to write and study which myth, because it says a lot about people. The Trickster group is a prime example of this!
I agree that the study of myth and creating a myth are two completely different things but they do end up complementing themselves. When you mentioned creating poetry, I remember that I liked writing my own poetry instead of writing about someone else’s poetry. You seem to have much more freedom when you create something on your own. This time around I liked studying mythology a little bit more than writing my own because I had a little bit of a hard time creating my own myth. It took me a couple of days to finally figure out what type of myth I wanted to create and then start writing it down. This is a fun thing to do when teaching in middle school or in high school you can see how creative they can be. In a classroom you cannot do one without the other. I remember in several of my classes in middle school and high school when we studied mythology we would spend a couple of days studying different types of myths and then as a fun last assignment we would create our own myths either in a group or do our own personal ones. This is a good thing to use in the classroom; I think that most people like studying mythology, they a fun and interesting stories to read from different cultures from around the world. I had a great time studying mythology but I found it a little difficult creating my own myth.
Nick-
okay so interesting view of mythology- while I agree that it is super interesting and it puts you in the middle of what is happening- but interesting to you cause you’re a fan of you? Yeah I think that’s pushing it. Come on nobody likes you that much. I agree that the structure of mythology makes it a little easier- so I’m gonna assume that you thought that writing your myth was no big deal too? For as much as I enjoy mythology I found writing my own a little tedious. And finally let’s discuss the most important point made in your entry. Peanut butter. I’m a fan. In fact just last night I was enjoying a late night snack of ritz crackers (another favorite) and peanut butter and couldn’t help but thinking that it really is just the most delicious lunch time spread I could think of. I pity people who are allergic. So maybe I don’t agree fully with the liking you thing, but I agree fully with the liking of peanut butter.
Nice use of the Mythbusters guys.
I would say I agree with your post, but Maureen already did that. Since she's never right, I must disagree with everything you say. From the top:
Creating a myth is nothing like creating poetry. Myths have to be coherent and logical. Poems get all goofy and stuff (that's a technical term).
Creating a myth is never fun. YOU ARE DECIDING HOW TO MAKE THE UNIVERSE, AND THAT IS HARD.
I think your ideas about myths are weak and painful, and they make babies weep.
(or your post was sensible and well-concieved and I couldn't think of a clever way to say that).
This was a great activity and I agree that students will be more open to it because there is "no pressure". Life can be as strange as they want to make it, and they can make as much sense as they want out of everything. It also gives students a different understanding of myths. I personally love myths and mythology and think everyone should love it just as much as I do. Well almost as much.
And Jelly.
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