Mythology & Folklore

Raven Meet the Young Boy One day, after Raven had shaped many animals out of the clay and made hills and trees for the earth plain, he chose to take a rest. He walked slowly along the shore near Man’s home and came upon Man’s young son playing in the grass outside the house. The young boy skipped and spun around playing by himself. Raven watched as the young boy picked up a stick from brandished it at the air, mimicking the hunters like his father. And Raven smiled at the boy. On and on the boy played an Raven delighted in watching his games. Raven decided he would make the boy laugh. As Raven approached, the young boy was startled from his imaginary game. In fear he shrunk away from Raven’s massive black form. Raven was surprised at the boy’s fear. He raised his beak, like a mask, and shed his Raven form so that we would look like the boy and his father. Then the boy was no afraid. But he did not smile. Raven wanted to make the boy laugh and he did not want his Raven form...

I love the Raven. I love how peaceful and helpful the Eskimo creator is. He shapes animals and landscape and always looks back to see if it pleased the man. I'm not real thrilled with the man who cursed the mosquitos to "eat man" over some measly deer fat! I feel like my story might center on that guy and his uberselfishness! I did notice men grew from pods and women needed to be shaped. I suppose it beats having a women eat the forbidden apple and curse all of mankind, but it still strikes me as odd. Although it also seems to indicate that woman was shaped specific to compliment men. Perhaps it is a celebration of the symmetry of man/woman. Perfect compliments. Just random thoughts. I think that would be a controversial story if I try to retell it. I might stick with the animals and the stupid mosquitos. Really happy that Raven made the bear specifically to keep Man from getting too cocky! More thoughts later. Kodiak Bear. Source: Public Domain Reading S...

In light of my last post, which focused on being honest in feedback, I feel I can proceed no other way with this post. I am not at all pleased with my my progress in this course. I am averaging earning a C in this class, and if I maintain that to the end of the semester, it will be the first C in my life. I realize that my schedule is considerably fuller than the typical student that takes this course, but I have found that the schedule is too rushed and crowded with small assignments to encourage real creativity. There have been several weeks when I have completed the reading in between all my other schoolwork, (actual) work, parenting work, and housework, but failed to find the time to write a blog post about my thoughts.  I understand and appreciate the concept of helping students to build good study practices by having many assignments with small point values rather than a few assignments with large point values. However, I don't believe that this method lends itsel...

There are few things more valuable to a writer than a great, honest, brutal critic. A theme or message that the writers believes they have implanted in their writing may be completely different than what the reader takes from it. Taking the time and having the opportunity to see your work through a reader's eyes is so helpful. I think in an online college course, though, you get very little chance to hear from someone who really takes an interest in your progress. When each person is required to leave a certain number of posts per week, choosing from a random sample of many  people, the task loses some of its value.  Feedback can be a touchy situation when the critic is trying so hard not to offend or hurt the writer. Likewise, if the writer senses that the critic is just being polite, all value is lost. Many of the comments that I've gotten have been somewhat helpful. The best comments are those that include suggestions and ideas. When leaving feedback myself, I also...

I found the story of Izanagi and Izanami to be interesting in many ways. One I have always like Japanese creation stories because they incorporate so much of the unique and beautiful landscape of Japan. Being made up of islands, the people of Japan seem to be very respectful of the sea and the natural resources of the islands, and that is evident in their stories. I was intrigued more with this story by the sad fate of Izanami and the justification. It seems she was banished to the world of mortals because of the loved she held her for children (the islands) and then she dies in childbirth and is doomed to, essentially, hell. Somewhat...ungrateful. I was also drawn to the "assymetry" of the story of "The Fortunate Fish Hook." Grief over losing the hook led our Prince Fire-Fade from his home to the kingdom under the sea and to meet his great love. However, guilt and the need to return the hook took the Prince back to land and away from this love and their coming c...