Mythology and Folklore

Feedback ( Wikimedia ) I read “A Simple 5-Second Habit to Rewire Your Harshly Self-Critical Brain” and “Seven Ways to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work.” I liked the messages in both articles and the topics they dealt with are some things that I have been grappling with lately. I connected with the story in the first article talking about struggling with diet and developing REBS. The idea that one dessert would ruin a whole diet is actually more ridiculous than the idea that it wouldn’t, but when you have a self-critical mindset it can seem reasonable. I like what the second article said about comparing yourself to others. It is far more beneficial to compare yourself with your former self. Overall, much of what they talked about in both articles are things I’ve implemented myself with a lot of success. I used to be really bad about overthinking and being self-critical, and though I still struggle, I’ve learned to step back when I start doing this and try to change my perspective...

Thor having a meeting with some giants ( Wikimedia ) Tricksters:  The element of a trickster in a story is something I have enjoyed since I was younger. I would like to learn more about different tricksters from different cultures. I think it would be interesting to see what similarities and differences there are. I think it could be fun to write a retelling where two tricksters meet, or even a group of tricksters meet. It could also be fun to write about a trickster who gets a taste of his own medicine. I was particularly interested in Reynard the Fox, and I’m excited to read more of his stories and look at how it reflects that region of Europe’s culture. OU Ghost Stories :  I am a big fan of ghost stories, and especially ghost stories that are interwoven with history or real places. Something about having that connection to the real world makes those ghost stories even better. I have studied OU’s tradition and history a good bit for an organization I am a part ...

A Tiger, a Brahman, and a Jackal ( Illustration by John Batten ) Origin Stories ·       Man in the Moon o    I like how direct the introduction is. Characters just are: “a wise man, who had power over all things” o    Interesting use of dialect to move through the plot. Mostly quotations with small bits of exposition. ·        The Hare that was not Afraid to Die o    Again simple statements to spark the story in focus o    I like the level of detail in this story, it gives a good feel to reading it. o    Broken into sections that begin with Now or Then often, creating a sense of rhythm o    Almost broken into stanza or verse style. Seems to have come from spoken mythology The Supernatural The Indian Who Wrestled with a Ghost o    “ By and By” seems to be unique to North American stories o    Common theme in The Hare story as...

Beowulf and the dragon by Henrietta Marshall ( Wikimedia )                          Beowulf , Dante’s Inferno , and The Odyssey . I am also interested in some of the geographical units like Japanese mythology and Italian mythology. I will say, I was shocked to not see a unit on Norse mythology, but it’s also possible what I’m thinking of is there under a different name. I found a number of different units I am interested in. Many of these units are classic tales that are constantly referenced but that I have never taken the time to read myself. I know I would like to read some of the classics on there like: Some units that interested me: King Arthur – This is another story that I have always wanted to read. I also really liked the style of writing. Homer’s Odyssey – This is a unit I am excited about because I read bits and pieces of it for class in high school, but never had the chance to read the ful...