I really like this blog post from Unlocking Words and the research discussed. I especially like the closing words on the post:
“I felt it was important to post a first draft as the internet is so full of polished work that’s been edited and edited and we never see first drafts of anything which can feel a bit disheartening. This is also why I include a lot of half edited, not yet finished, poems on my blog.”
When I was researching insect mythology, I came across an interesting paper which used insect myths to “foster active learning” in undergraduate courses. It outlines a course approach which begins with discussing what a myth is then the students are asked to read a variety of insect myths from a range of sources. As we’ve already seen, it is often possible to group these in terms of themes such as creation or explanations for behaviours. A working definition of a myth is then provided.
Working definition of a myth*
A myth: is a story that explains or relates the origin of a natural phenomenon, cultural belief, or tradition. It often answers a fundamental question (e.g. How was the world made? Why does the sun/moon move across the sky? Where do souls go after death?). Myths may justify existing social systems and/ or account for traditional rites and customs, including cosmological…
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Séamus Sweeney 