Critical Thinking Questions unit 9-b
1. What conclusions can you draw from the many themes shared by sacred myths?
2. What evidence is there that the myths of a world flood may be based on a historic event?
3. Why is comparative mythology important to the study of myths?
4. The cultural anthropologist Dr. Jamie Tehrani traced the story of Little Red Riding Hood back to a common ancestor over 2,600 years old. Why do you think the structure stayed the same even though he found so many variations and differences in story elements?
5. Evil is often described in myths as entering the world after creation rather than being a part of it. Why do you think evil is not portrayed as an original part of creation?
PLS RESPOND 1 PARAGRAPH EACH
1. What conclusions can you draw from the many themes shared by sacred myths?
The conclusion that it is possible to draw is that our ancestors , no matter where they were from, shared the same uncertainties and fears, and so their myths were answers to those questions that were common to the human experience. The sacred myths have shared themes because of this reason.
2. What evidence is there that the myths of a world flood may be based on a historic event?
There are several evidence, from different science sectors. There are proofs based on geological evidences, but also the fact that it is possible to observe this myth in almost every culture is an evidence per se, as the similarities of the tales indicates a possible historic event.
3. Why is comparative mythology important to the study of myths?
It is important because based on similarities and differences it is possible to have a better understanding of the culture from which the myth is based upon. Moreover, comparative mythology gives the possibilities to draw evidence from different myths and discover new possible historic events.
4. The cultural anthropologist Dr. Jamie Tehrani traced the story of Little Red Riding Hood back to a common ancestor over 2,600 years old. Why do you think the structure stayed the same even though he found so many variations and differences in story elements?
Because Little Red Riding Hood deals with themes that are common in every culture. It deals with the fear of stranger, the hero journey, death and many other themes that are recurring in every culture. So it is possible to argue that the fundament of the story it is always the same, even through centuries of minor changes.
5. Evil is often described in myths as entering the world after creation rather than being a part of it. Why do you think evil is not portrayed as an original part of creation?
Because human want to believe that we are inherently good, so by introducing evil later it depicts it like something that is possible to eradicate and come back to a state where evil do not exist. Moreover, it tells of a better world where everyone would want to live in.
