i'd be amazed if anybody could help me with this mythology question?

Question

im writing a 5 page paper on how mythology can be seen in today's society.

one option is:
i can write about a modern day redeemer, tragic or wondering hero

or i can write about:

write about a modern day story that consists of a search, rescue, or return story

can anybody help me out with a topic?

Answer 1

Search rescue and return? I guess I don't understand what you are looking for.

But the coast guard that rescued so many during Katrina, and kept going back for more through the dark....sounds like search, rescue, and return to me.

Answer 2

No matter what you decide to write about, it all comes down to myth. As long as you understand the structure of myth, you can write about anything within that structure. "Star Wars" is myth. So is "The Godfather" believe it or not. "The Wizard of Oz" is also myth. So here's the basic structure.

Myth works in a circular motion. You have the hero venturing out into the world and returning home changed.

The only problem with myth is the hero ends up coming across multiple antagonists. Think of Hercules or Jason and the Argonauts and you see what I mean. So the best modern myths usually have another story genre woven into it. In the Godfather, you've got Fairytale mixed in, believe it or not. Michael is the youngest of three brothers. In Fairytale structure, the youngest sibling is always the most capable. That's also seen in Cinderella. The Wizard of Oz also has Fairytale mixed in with the advent of the "helper" character. Glinda the good witch of the north is, in essence, Dorothy's fairy godmother. So...

Why not take a look at George W. Bush from the myth point of view? He leaves Texas for Washington. He certainly comes across multiple antagonists, now doesn't he? He goes to war and through that experience, is changed. Well somewhat. But now that there's been the publication of the bipartisan Iraq Study, has not Bush the hero been humbled? Would you also not consider Condi his fairy godmother helper type? And how will his world view have changed when in 2008, he returns home to Texas?

Hopefully this is fodder for your creative thinking!

Answer 3

I used Nelson Mandella as a modern example of a mythological hero when I had a similar question on a religion exam. He worked for black rights, was imprisioned for years, and came back more of a hero than ever-- now the president of South Africa. This may even be mythologized in black South American culture in the future. It certainly could be used for either a modern-day redeemer or a search/rescue/return story.

Answer 4

Try Blue bloods Vampire kisses The eye ( an extra Stephanie Meyer guide ) I'd additionally advocate Blood and chocolate if it wasn't see a lot urged Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy sequence. Dead is the brand new black 'Stone Masters, A Vampire Reckoning' "The Man Who Swam the Amazon". Rachel Caine's Morganville Almost Human by way of Melanie Nowak. I've learn all, very well for anyone with approximately 2hours to commit to studying... :] Hope i helped!

Answer 5

Well considering that many of the modern world's so called "holidays" are based on things from ancient Pagan beliefs...that would be something to write about since most christians believe that Paganism was some sort of occult faith like the Egyptians and Romans had. For example, Halloween was (correct me if I am wrong, please!) invented as sort of a trickery by the Roman Catholic Church to try and convert Pagans to Christianity by saying,"Hey, we have celebrations just like yours!" This was a mockery of the Harvest Festival where Pagans honored the season change and past-away relatives. Another example would be the modern May Day. Pagans celebrated their solstice around this time and paid tribute to Mother Earth by sharing baskets or fruits, vegetables and greenery with loved ones. Don't you remember making the little May Day baskets out of those green strawberry cartons when you were a kid....? I have more of these little antics. I could go on and on!!

Answer 6

What great topics - but not so easy. I first thought of the Lord of the Rings too, but it could be hard to drag in today's society there. Maybe Jonathan Safran Foer's "Everything is illuminated"? It is definitely a search story, and it does try to rescue to memory the whole semi-mythological town of Trachimbrod, that was (in no way mythologically) eliminated by the Nazis during WW2. Just a thought.

Answer 7

Oh, man... I think I know just the thing. The story of "Shadow of the Colossus" could probably fit both those questions. It's also a video game, which should be suitably modern. For more information (including a detailed plot analysis) see the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_of_the_Colossus
http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/shadow_of_the_colossus_plot.txt
http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/shadow_of_the_colossus_script.txt

I this will be of some assistance to you.

Answer 8

the lord of the rings is a modern day mythology

Answer 9

read joseph campbells' "the power of myth" that will help ALOT.

but what about modern day comic book superhero's they are reinvented mythological heros with unique powers? think about it, some of them even control nature's forces just like their greek counterparts.

Answer 10

Do it about Christmas.