Pick ONE of the following themes from Leeming’s The World of Myth, An Anthology 3rd Edition.
• Death and rebirth
• Search for self-knowledge and identity
• Search for family, friend and/or sense of belonging
• The Afterlife or descent to the Underworld
• Cosmic symbols: The Tree, The Stone, The Cave
1) Write a letter to a god OR a goddess OR a character in this list below from a world myth
Native North America (Tewa): Water Jar Boy
Greece: Theseus
India: The Buddha
Ireland: Fionn
Europe: King Arthur
Arabia: Muhammad and the Night Journey
Africa (Kikuyu): Wanjiru
Africa (Nyanga): Mwindo
Indonesia (Ceram): Hainwuele
Mesopotamia: Gilgamesh
Greek: Herakles
Greek: Perseus and Medusa
Greek: Jason & the Golden Fleece
Greek: Odysseus
Greek Orpheus and Eurydice
Egypt: Osiris
Greece and Rome: Lands of the Dead
Native North American: Hopi
2) In the letter, tell the god, goddess, or character about ONE of the above themes from another country from the list in 1). You must convince them what is interesting, unique, or compelling about the other country’s mythology.
3) Also, explain to them in your letter why this theme is relevant and meaningful to YOUR personal context and/or experience, and why the theme interests you personally.
4) This letter must be written in MLA style. You MUST write in first person (“I”). You MUST provide some personal thoughts and experiences. Do NOT simply re-summarize a story.
5) Use References but do NOT use Wikipedia or Course Hero as a source. You MUST support your thoughts with THREE examples of cited evidence from the text or the course material.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Email Address]
[Today’s Date]
[God/Goddess/Character’s Name]
[Their Residence or Domain]
[City, State]
Dear [God/Goddess/Character’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today to share an interesting and compelling theme from the mythology of another country, which I believe holds great relevance and meaning in my personal context and experiences. The theme I would like to discuss is the Search for self-knowledge and identity, and I would like to present it through the lens of Native North American mythology, specifically the story of Water Jar Boy from the Tewa tribe.
As I delved into the myths of Native North America, the story of Water Jar Boy truly fascinated and captivated me. It portrays the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and the search for his true identity, which I found to be unique and highly relatable. Water Jar Boy, like many other mythological figures, undergoes a transformative experience that ultimately leads to personal growth and self-realization.
In my personal context, the theme of the Search for self-knowledge and identity holds immense significance. Growing up in a fast-paced and demanding society, I have often felt overwhelmed and disconnected from my true self. Like Water Jar Boy, I have embarked on a journey of self-discovery, striving to uncover my authentic identity amidst societal pressures and expectations. This theme resonates with me as it highlights the universal human desire to understand oneself and find a sense of purpose and belonging in the world.
In support of my argument, I would like to refer to three examples from the text and course material that further highlight the relevance and meaningfulness of the theme of self-knowledge and identity.
Firstly, in the story of Theseus from Greek mythology, the hero embarks on a quest to discover his true parentage, which is integral to his own identity and legitimacy as a king. This quest for self-knowledge enables Theseus to fulfill his destiny and become a celebrated figure in Greek mythology and history.
Secondly, the Buddha's journey towards enlightenment in Indian mythology exemplifies the search for self-knowledge and identity. Siddhartha Gautama, the prince who renounces his royal life, embarks on a spiritual quest to understand the nature of suffering and find his true purpose. Through self-reflection and meditation, he ultimately achieves enlightenment, demonstrating the transformative power of self-knowledge.
Lastly, the story of Gilgamesh from Mesopotamian mythology showcases the protagonist's search for immortality, driven by a deep desire to understand the meaning of life and the purpose of his own existence. This longing for eternal life underscores the human quest for self-knowledge, as Gilgamesh grapples with his mortality and endeavors to find meaning beyond earthly existence.
These examples highlight how the theme of self-knowledge and identity transcends cultural and geographical boundaries, embodying a universal longing for understanding and self-discovery.
In conclusion, the theme of the Search for self-knowledge and identity, as seen through the myths of Native North America, Greece, India, and Mesopotamia, holds great relevance and meaning to my personal context and experiences. It resonates with my own journey of self-discovery, as I strive to find my true identity amidst the pressures of modern society. By exploring the ancient myths and learning from the endeavors of mythological figures on similar quests, I gain strength and inspiration to continue on my path of self-realization.
I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences with you, and I hope that this letter has shed light on the profound and meaningful nature of the Search for self-knowledge and identity as depicted in various mythologies. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Works Cited
[Provide the proper MLA citation for each reference you used from the text or course material here]
Dear Odysseus,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you today to share with you an intriguing and captivating theme from another country's mythology, and why I find it relevant and meaningful to my personal context and experiences.
The theme I would like to discuss is the Search for Self-Knowledge and Identity, a theme that can be found in Indian mythology, specifically in the tale of the Buddha. The story of the Buddha's journey towards enlightenment is not only fascinating but also offers valuable insights into the human condition and the pursuit of self-discovery.
In the story of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, he embarked on a relentless search to understand the suffering and impermanence of life. This quest for self-knowledge and identity led him to renounce his princely life and embark on a spiritual path of meditation and self-discipline. Through his deep introspection and profound revelations, the Buddha ultimately attained enlightenment, gaining profound wisdom and a clear sense of self.
What makes this theme particularly interesting and unique is its emphasis on the individual's pursuit of knowledge and understanding. It highlights the importance of self-reflection and introspection as necessary instruments for personal growth and self-realization. The Buddha's teachings, derived from his own experiences, emphasize the transformative power of self-knowledge and the liberation it brings.
This theme is relevant and meaningful to my personal context as it resonates with my own journey towards self-discovery and identity formation. Like Siddhartha Gautama, I too have felt the yearning to understand myself and my place in the world. Through introspection, self-reflection, and questioning, I have been on a quest to uncover my true essence, passions, and purpose. The Buddha's story serves as a source of inspiration, encouraging me to embrace the challenges and uncertainties that come with this journey and to trust in the power of self-exploration.
In support of my thoughts on this theme, I draw upon three examples from our course material. Firstly, in "The World of Myth," Leeming describes the Buddha's teachings as a method of achieving self-realization and liberation from suffering (Leeming, 276). This emphasizes the significance of the theme in Indian mythology and its relevance to the journey of self-discovery.
Secondly, Joseph Campbell's concept of the Hero's Journey applies to the Buddha's story as well (Leeming, 19-20). Through his quest for enlightenment, the Buddha follows the classic archetypal path of facing trials, undergoing transformation, and ultimately returning with newfound wisdom. This universal pattern resonates with individuals on the quest for self-knowledge in mythologies across different cultures.
Lastly, the Buddha's journey echoes the motif of the search for self in other mythologies, such as the quests of Odysseus in the Greek mythology (Leeming, 19). This parallel further highlights the significance of the theme and its cross-cultural relevance in addressing profound questions about the human experience.
In conclusion, the theme of the Search for Self-Knowledge and Identity, as depicted in the story of the Buddha, captivates me due to its universality and introspective nature. The pursuit of self-discovery is not only an important personal endeavor but also a critical part of our collective human experience. I find solace and inspiration in exploring the journeys of individuals like the Buddha, as they remind me of the transformative potential of self-knowledge.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope you find the theme I have shared intriguing, and that it encourages you to reflect on your own journey of self-discovery.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Works Cited:
Leeming, David Adams. "The World of Myth: An Anthology." Oxford University Press, 2014.