ENG 203 Mid-term Exam: Creation Myths, Tragedy, and Narrative Analysis

Creation stories and myths

Narratives that explain the origins of the world and humanity, often involving deities and supernatural events.

Cosmogony

A branch of mythology that deals with the origin of the universe and the creation of the world.

Oral narrative traditions

Storytelling practices passed down through generations by word of mouth, often preserving cultural heritage.

Cuneiform

An ancient writing system used in Mesopotamia, characterized by wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, all-powerful deity.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple deities, each with distinct roles and attributes.

(Ancient) Tragedy

A dramatic genre that depicts the downfall of a noble hero due to a tragic flaw or fate.

Hamartia

A tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the protagonist's downfall.

Catharsis

The emotional release or purification experienced by the audience through the unfolding of a tragedy.

The Chorus (in tragedy)

A group of performers who comment on the main action of a play, often providing insight or moral perspective.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence that often leads to the protagonist's downfall in tragedy.

Literary translation

The process of translating written text from one language to another, considering cultural nuances and meanings.

Frame narrative

A story within a story, where an outer narrative sets the stage for an inner narrative.

Schadenfreude

Pleasure derived from another person's misfortune.

Orientalism

A term used to describe the depiction of Eastern cultures in a stereotyped manner by Western writers and artists.

Metafiction

A form of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, often blurring the boundary between fiction and reality.

Persona

The voice or character assumed by the author in a literary work, distinct from their personal identity.

Zuihitsu

A Japanese literary form consisting of a series of loosely connected personal essays and fragmented ideas.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

An ancient Mesopotamian epic poem that follows the adventures of Gilgamesh, a historical king of Uruk, and his quest for immortality.

Oedipus Tyrannus

A Greek tragedy by Sophocles that tells the story of Oedipus, who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.

The Thousand and One Nights

A collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age, framed by the story of Scheherazade.

Borges and I

A short story by Jorge Luis Borges that explores the relationship between the author's public persona and private self.

The Continuity of Parks

A short story by Julio Cortázar that blurs the line between fiction and reality through a narrative about a reader immersed in a book.

The Pillow Book

A collection of essays, lists, and anecdotes by Sei Shonagon, offering insights into court life in Heian Japan.

What is the main theme of the Cherokee creation myth 'Grandmother Spider Steals the Sun'?

The theme is the power of wisdom and creativity over brute strength.

Who is the primary character in 'Grandmother Spider Steals the Sun'?

Grandmother Spider, who represents wisdom and creativity.

What failed attempts do Possum and Buzzard make in the Cherokee myth?

Possum tries to hide the sun in his tail, and Buzzard attempts to carry it on his head.

How does Grandmother Spider succeed in bringing light to the world?

She weaves a web, steals the sun in a clay bowl, and brings it back.

What does the bald tail of Possum symbolize in the Cherokee myth?

It symbolizes overconfidence and vanity.

What does the bald head of Buzzard represent in the Cherokee myth?

It represents arrogance.

What is the significance of the Blackfoot creation story involving Old Man and Old Woman?

It explores the consequences of choices regarding mortality and the nature of sympathy.

What proposal does Old Man make regarding human mortality in the Blackfoot myth?

He suggests a test using a buffalo chip to determine if humans should die temporarily.

What decision does Old Woman make regarding human mortality?

She chooses a rock, leading to the establishment of permanent death.

What is the outcome of Old Woman's decision in the Blackfoot creation story?

It results in the finality of death, which she later regrets.

What does the Fulani creation myth 'How the World was Created from a Drop of Milk' begin with?

It begins with a massive drop of milk, which the god Doondari uses to create stone.

What is the chain of creation in the Fulani myth?

Stone creates iron, iron creates fire, fire creates water, and water creates air.

What does Doondari create to humble man in the Fulani myth?

He creates opposing forces that defeat one another in a cycle.

Who is Gueno in the Fulani creation myth?

Gueno is the eternal form of Doondari who ultimately defeats death.

What does the Yoruba creation myth 'Obatala Creates Mankind' begin with?

It begins with Olodumare presiding over a vast, marshy ocean.

What does Obatala use to create dry land in the Yoruba myth?

He uses sand from a snail shell and a bird to scatter it.

What flaw does Obatala exhibit while creating humans?

He becomes intoxicated, leading to the creation of imperfect humans.

What does Olokun represent in the Yoruba creation myth?

Olokun represents the untamed forces of nature and the primordial waters.

What does the gold chain symbolize in the Yoruba creation myth?

It symbolizes the connection between the spiritual realm and the physical world.

What major theme is present in both the Cherokee and Blackfoot creation myths?

The theme of the consequences of choices made by creator figures.

How does the Fulani myth explain the origin of suffering?

It explains suffering through the cycle of defeat among powerful entities.

What does the final triumph of Gueno over death signify?

It signifies the eternal sovereignty of the divine over human life.

What role does gender play in the creation myths discussed?

Gender roles are highlighted through the actions and decisions of male and female creator figures.

What is the significance of the character of Grandmother Spider in Cherokee mythology?

She embodies the idea that small, seemingly insignificant beings can have great power.

What is a key concept in the Blackfoot creation story regarding the nature of laws?

Once a law is established by the creators, it cannot be undone.

What does the character of Old Woman represent in the Blackfoot myth?

She represents a pragmatic view of mortality and the necessity of human empathy.

What does the cycle of power in the Fulani myth suggest about earthly forces?

It suggests that no earthly force is absolute; every power is eventually checked by another.

What does the intoxication of Obatala symbolize in the Yoruba myth?

It symbolizes the imperfections inherent in the creative process.

What is the overarching message of the creation myths discussed?

They convey the complexities of creation, mortality, and the interconnectedness of all beings.

Epic of Gilgamesh

An ancient Sumerian epic (c. 2150 BCE) about King Gilgamesh of Uruk, whose adventures and friendship with Enkidu lead him to learn about mortality and the importance of legacy.

Gilgamesh

The king of Uruk who begins as an arrogant ruler but grows into a wiser leader through his experiences.

Enkidu

A man created by the gods to challenge Gilgamesh who becomes his close friend and companion.

Utnapishtim

A survivor of a great flood who was granted immortality by the gods.

Shamhat

A woman who helps Enkidu transition from living in nature to joining human society.

Ishtar

A goddess whose actions influence several events in the epic.

Major Theme of Gilgamesh

Humans cannot live forever, but their achievements and legacy can endure.

Nineteen Ways of Looking at Wang Wei

A study by Eliot Weinberger examining multiple translations of the Chinese poem 'Deer Park' by the poet Wang Wei.

Purpose of Nineteen Ways of Looking at Wang Wei

To show how translation choices can change the meaning and tone of a poem.

Key Idea in Nineteen Ways of Looking at Wang Wei

Translators interpret texts differently based on culture, language, and perspective.

Oedipus Rex

A Greek tragedy by Sophocles about King Oedipus, who investigates a mystery about a plague in Thebes and discovers a tragic truth about himself.

Oedipus

King of Thebes known for intelligence and determination but also pride and impulsiveness.

Jocasta

Queen of Thebes and wife of Oedipus.

Creon

Jocasta's brother who represents calm and rational leadership.

Tiresias

A blind prophet who understands the truth before others in the play.

Major Theme of Oedipus Rex

The relationship between fate and free will and the consequences of seeking the truth.

Thousand and One Nights

A collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories connected by the frame story of Scheherazade.

Scheherazade

The storyteller who tells stories each night to delay her execution and influence the king.

King Shahryar

A ruler who listens to Scheherazade's stories and eventually changes his actions.

Sinbad

A character known for adventurous sea voyages.

Aladdin

A character who gains fortune and success with the help of a magical lamp.

Ali Baba

A character who discovers hidden treasure in a famous tale.

Major Theme of Thousand and One Nights

The power of storytelling and the importance of wisdom and cleverness.

Borges and I

A short reflective work by Jorge Luis Borges about the difference between the author's private self and public identity.

Main Idea of Borges and I

The tension between a person's inner life and the public persona known to the world.

The Continuity of Parks

A metafictional short story by Julio Cortázar in which the worlds of fiction and reality merge.

Main Idea of The Continuity of Parks

Reading can blur the boundary between the fictional world and real life.

The Pillow Book

A collection of writings by Sei Shōnagon describing life at the Japanese imperial court during the Heian period.

Sei Shōnagon

The author of The Pillow Book and a lady-in-waiting known for her observations and wit.

Empress Teishi

The empress served by Sei Shōnagon in the imperial court.

Structure of The Pillow Book

A series of lists, observations, and anecdotes rather than a single narrative story.

Major Theme of The Pillow Book

Appreciation of beauty, court culture, and the fleeting nature of experiences.