Notes for Myth test
Myth is an attempt to explain one’s universe and one’s place in it in the absence of science.
Every myth serves four functions:
The four functions of myth:
- To explain the universe: Myths tell why the universe is the way it is: where we came from, why we’re here, why birds sing, why animals have certain markings, why and how evil co-exists with good.
- To instill awe: Awe is a mixture of fear and amazement. We have to be impressed if we’re to believe the explanations that myth provides for us. If a myth is trying to teach us how to act, we need to be afraid of the consequences of disobedience; if a myth is trying to make us respect a god, then we need to feel that he/she is more powerful than all of humankind put together—that both scares and amazes us. As humans, we need to believe that there is something larger than ourselves in control—a sense of awe fulfills that need.
- To guide people: We need people to act a certain way, whatever way a particular culture demands. Myth teaches us how to act and what will happen if we don’t. (emphasis on behavior/attitudes)
- To support customs: We like our culture, and we want to keep doing things the way we’ve been doing them because they’ve worked so far and we don’t want to rock the boat. So, if you want someone to go out in the middle of winter, kill a perfectly healthy tree, drag it inside, and put stuff all over it, you’ve got to come up with a really convincing reason. Thus, the Santa legend. Myths either explain where a tradition comes from, shows what will happen if we do/don’t follow it, or simply illustrates good tribal members engaged in traditions of the culture. (emphasis on tradition and ritual over behavior/attitudes)
Trickster tales are myths that contain a trickster hero who engages in trickery or deceit, and which contains the use of magic or the supernatural. The trickster hero appeals to us because he, like us, is clever at times and stupid other times. He’s heroic at times and self-serving at others. There are many trickster heroes throughout the world, but the ONLY trickster hero we’ll study is COYOTE. As a trickster hero, his personality has three facets, culture hero, clever deceiver, and numbskull.
The three aspects of the trickster hero’s personality
- Culture hero: The trickster hero does something to help the tribe who creates the story. OR The trickster hero engages in some valued aspect of the culture of the tribe who creates the story. For example, if Coyote were to participate in a ritual dance, smoke a peace pipe, or mark his face with war or ceremonial paint, these would be examples of engaging in some valued aspect of the culture. If Coyote were attributed with providing some staple of the tribe’s diet, salmon, corn, beans, or squash, if Coyote were attributed with killing some man-eating monster present before mankind flourished or existed, if Coyote were attributed with some spiritual responsibility, such as providing dream visions, then he would be doing something valuable for the tribe.
- Clever deceiver: The trickster engages in trickery for either good or bad. He could trick a bad guy to help the Native Americans, or he could trick a good person for his own self-gain.
- Numbskull: The trickster does something foolish or unwise according to Native American culture.
Students should be able to identify these attributes in familiar and unfamiliar myths. They should be able to discern which story is the trickster tale without being told.