Transcript Document
Unit 5 Unit 5 Unit 5 UNIT MENU Unit Menu Introduction Part 1: Journeys Part 2: Courage and Cleverness Unit 5 INTRODUCTION Introduction Looking Ahead Genre Focus Literary Analysis Model Writers on Reading Wrap-Up Unit 5 LOOKING AHEAD Looking Ahead Many centuries ago, before books, magazines, paper, and pencils were invented, people recited their stories. Some of the stories they told offered explanations of natural phenomena, such as thunder and lightning, or the culture’s customs or beliefs. Other stories were meant for entertainment. Taken together, these stories—these myths, epics, and legends—tell a history of loyalty and betrayal, heroism and cowardice, love and rejection. In this unit, you will explore the literary elements that make them unique. Unit 5 LOOKING AHEAD Looking Ahead Unit 5 GENRE FOCUS: Epic and Myth Epic and Myth Why do we read stories from the distant past? Why should we care about heroes and villains long dead? About cities and palaces that were destroyed centuries before our time? The noted psychologist and psychiatrist Carl Jung thought he knew the answer. He thought that in order for us to understand the people we are today, we have to learn about those who came before us. One way to do that, Jung believed, was to read the myths and epics of long ago. Unit 5 GENRE FOCUS: Epic and Myth What is unique about epics and myths? Epic The Epic An epic is a long narrative poem about a serious subject. Its action centers on the epic hero, whose primary goal is usually to save his nation or its people during a time of crisis. The purpose of an epic poem is threefold: to entertain, to teach, and to inspire with examples of how people can succeed against great odds. Unit 5 GENRE FOCUS: Epic and Myth What is unique about epics and myths? Epic Epic Tales and Their Gods In epics, gods may take part in the action or at least take an interest in what happens, sometimes intervening to affect the course of events. Read the literary example below. How does the excerpt illustrate an epic? Yet all the gods had pitied Lord Odysseus, all but Poseidon, raging cold and rough against the brave king till he came ashore at last on his own land. —Homer, from the Odyssey Unit 5 GENRE FOCUS: Epic and Myth What is unique about epics and myths? Epic Structure The way an author organizes images, ideas, words, and lines is called structure. Like many epics, the Odyssey begins with an invocation, a request to a muse to provide inspiration. In Greek mythology, the muses are nine goddesses who preside over the arts and sciences and inspire those who show talent in these areas. Read the literary example below. How does the excerpt illustrate the structure of an epic? Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy. —Homer, from the Odyssey Unit 5 GENRE FOCUS: Epic and Myth What is unique about epics and myths? Myth and the Archetype Myth A myth is a traditional story of anonymous origin. Many myths are about the creation of earth; others are about love, adventure, trickery, or revenge. In many myths, human action is controlled or guided by gods, goddesses, and other supernatural beings. How does the excerpt illustrate a myth? For a time she kept his birth secret from her father, but it became increasingly difficult to do so in the narrow limits of that bronze house and finally one day the little boy—his name was Perseus— was discovered by his grandfather. “Your child!” Acrisius cried in great anger. “Who is his father?” But when Danaë answered proudly, “Zeus,” he would not believe her. —Edith Hamilton, from “Perseus” Unit 5 GENRE FOCUS: Epic and Myth What is unique about epics and myths? Myth and the Archetype Archetype An archetype is a thing, person, or pattern of circumstances that appears repeatedly in literature. Most ancient myths, folktales, fables, ballads, and legends contain archetypal characters, such as the evil villain, the lovesick suitor, and the fool. They also may contain archetypal themes, such as the hidden treasure or the rite of passage. How does the excerpt illustrate an archetype? When the gods first saw the Fenris Wolf, he was so young that they thought they could tame him. They took him to Asgard, therefore, and brave Tyr undertook to feed and train him. Presently, however, the black monster grew so enormous that his open jaws would stretch from heaven to earth, showing teeth as large as the trunks of oak trees and as sharply pointed as knives. — Olivia Coolidge, from “The Fenris Wolf” Unit 5 GENRE FOCUS: Epic and Myth What is unique about epics and myths? Myth and the Archetype Symbol A symbol is an object, person, place, or event that has a literal meaning and a figurative meaning. For example, a heart is often used as a symbol of love, while a book might be used as a symbol of knowledge. Some symbols have more than one figurative meaning, and their meanings may change or evolve through a literary work. How does the excerpt illustrate a symbol? I thought, as I wiped my eyes on the corner of my apron: Penelope did this too. And more than once: you can’t keep weaving all day And undoing it all through the night . . . —Edna St. Vincent Milay, from “An Ancient Gesture” Unit 5 LITERARY ANALYSIS MODEL How do literary elements help us enjoy epics and myths? The Wedding from the Ramayana translated by R. K. Narayan Symbol Here, as in many myths and epics, the bow is a symbol of war and vengeance. This bow belonged to Shira, a Hindu god also known as the “Destroyer.” Style Most epics are written in a grand or elevated style. Language is formal, and descriptions can be extensive. Archetype The handsome suitor forced to earn the trust and admiration of the bride’s father is a thematic archetype. Epic Gods, goddesses, and other supernatural beings are important characters in most myths and epics. Unit 5 LITERARY ANALYSIS MODEL How do literary elements help us enjoy epics and myths? The Wedding from the Ramayana translated by R. K. Narayan Read the selection on pages 948–949. Setting a Purpose Setting a purpose before reading a passage will improve your reading speed and comprehension. Read with the purpose of being able to summarize the plot concisely. After reading the story, write a one-paragraph summary, and then compare it with your classmates’ to determine if you missed any important plot points or characters. Unit 5 LITERARY ANALYSIS MODEL How do literary elements help us enjoy epics and myths? The Wedding from the Ramayana translated by R. K. Narayan Read the selection on pages 948–949 and answer the following questions: Hero Who is the hero in this story? Rama How do you know he is the hero? He faces a difficult challenge and overcomes it against great odds. Unit 5 LITERARY ANALYSIS MODEL How do literary elements help us enjoy epics and myths? The Wedding from the Ramayana translated by R. K. Narayan Reading Check Interpreting Why does Janaka worry that his daughter, Sita, will never be married? Unit 5 WRITERS ON READING What do writers say about epics and myths? Read the quotations on pages 950–951 and answer the following questions: Which quote do you find the most interesting? Why? Answers may vary. Be sure to give reasons for your response. What character traits can you infer about the hero Odysseus from Calvino’s quote? He makes good use of trickery and is a seasoned warrior. Unit 5 WRITERS ON READING What do writers say about epics and myths? Reading Check Responding From your own reading experiences, which passages do you identify with most closely? Explain. Unit 5 WRAP-UP Guide to Reading Epics and Myths • Epics and myths give us insight into human nature. • Most epics and myths explore a range of human emotions, including anger, love, jealousy, rage, and vengeance. • Epics and myths are timeless because they have the characteristics of a good story. They are imaginative, interesting, inspiring, and completely authentic. Unit 5 WRAP-UP Elements of Epics and Myths • An epic is a long narrative poem written about a serious subject. • A myth is a traditional story of anonymous origin that deals with gods, goddesses, heroes, and supernatural events. • The epic hero is the central character in an epic. He is driven by his desire to save his country or its people during a time of crisis. • An archetype is a thing, person, or pattern of circumstances that appears repeatedly in literature. Unit 5 WRAP-UP 1. Visual Literacy: Develop a story frame or sequence organizer that explores the major events in a myth or epic you have read. Try using this study organizer to take notes on the people, places, and events you read about in this unit. Unit 5 WRAP-UP 2. Speaking/Listening: With a partner, invent a conversation between two characters mentioned in the Unit Introduction. Write your dialogue, rehearse it, and then present it to the class. 3. Writing: Create a bulleted list that details the characteristics of a myth and another that details the characteristics of an epic. Use your lists to write a brief compare-and-contrast essay about the two genres. Unit 5/ 5 Part 1