World Lit I Midterm Study

AAMU

Myth

A traditional story explaining cultural values and natural events.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods, as seen in The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Aeneid.

Monotheism

The belief in one god, referenced in Sunjata through Islamic influence.

Epic

A long narrative poem about a hero’s journey.

Epic Hero

A protagonist with extraordinary abilities facing great challenges.

Divinity

The nature of the gods and their influence on human affairs.

Fate

The predetermined course of events, emphasized in The Aeneid through Roman destiny.

Invocation

A plea to a muse or deity for inspiration, commonly found in The Aeneid.

Piety

Religious devotion and duty, illustrated in The Aeneid and Roman Stoicism.

Stoicism

The philosophy of enduring hardship without complaint.

Dystopia

A society characterized by suffering or oppression.

Apocalypse

A catastrophic event or revelation.

Prologue

An introduction to a story, often setting the stage for the themes.

Heroic Journey

Be familiar with Joseph Campbell’s stages of the hero's journey.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion influencing many literary traditions.

Islam

A key religion in Sunjata and West African oral tradition.

Griots

West African storytellers who preserve history and culture.

Collective Memory

The shared pool of knowledge and cultural heritage passed through generations.

Mesopotamia

Region associated with The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Rome

Region associated with The Aeneid.

West Africa/Mali

Region associated with Sunjata.