4 Myth Theories Essays - Anthropology Of Religion,

4 Myth Theories There are four basic theories of myth. Those theories are: the rational myth theory, functional myth theory, structural myth theory, and the phsycological myth theory. The rational myth theory states that myths were created to explain natural events and forces. Functional myths are what you call the kinds of myths that were created as a type of social control. The third myth theory is the structural myth theory. This theory says that myths were patterned after human mind and human nature. The phsycological myth theory is the fourth myth theory which states that myths are based on human emotion. The rational myth theory states that myths were made to better understand natural events and forces that occurred in the everyday lives of people. This theory also explains that the gods and goddesses controlled all of these happenings of nature. Examples of this type of myth are creation myths from different cultures. Creation myths explain how man was created and explain what the gods and goddesses used and what actions they took to create humans. These myths also tell what substances were used (if any) in order for man to exist. The existence of man is a natural event but creation myths give other explanations. The functional myth theory talks about how myths were used to teach morality and social behavior. It states that myths told about what types of things should and shouldnt be done, and the consequences for those wrong doings. The functional myth theory also states that myths were created for social control and served the function of insuring stability in a society. A story about a tribe who rebelled against the great serpent, Degei, is a good example of a functional myth. This story is about a tribe who learned many skills from their great serpent god, Degei, and then became Degeis workers and servants. Two chiefs of this tribe were sick of working for him and tried to defeat him; they were too weak for Degei. Instead of winning their freedom, they were killed in a great flood caused by Degei. This myth is trying to say that you should not be lazy because if you are, then you will regret it. Structural myths are said to be myths based on human emotion. These types of myths show the two sides of the human mind; the good side and the bad side. They show the divided self and the duality of human nature. Myths about Hercules show how the human mind can be both good and bad. Hercules did both good and bad things. One of the bad things he did was (in Jason and the Argonauts) he stole a broach pin from the treasure chamber of the god Talos. This sin caused his friend to be killed. Hercules knew that his friend was killed because of his sin, so to make up for it, he vowed to stay on the island until his friend was found. The phsycological myth theory states how myths are based on human emotion and that they come from the human subconscious mind. Cultures all around the world had similar fears, questions, and wishes which, to them, were unexplainable. That is the reason that phsycological myths were made; and that is why there are archetypes shared between cultures. Archetypes are general forms and characters used by all cultures. Some archetypes found between cultures are having a sky god (Zeus and Oleron),a sea god (Poseidon and Olokun), and an agricultural god (Orisha-Oko and Demeter). These archetypes are examples of how people think alike when it comes to things that are to them mysteries and fears. In conclusion, it appears that man created myths for quite a few reasons. These reasons include explaining the unknown, natural events and forces, to show the duality and pureness of human nature and the human mind, and to help societies maintain order and remain stable. There must be more reasons of exactly why myths should have arisen but that is beyond the extent of this essay. Mythology

From Mill town to Utopia essays

From Mill town to Utopia essays During the early 1800s woman were still not able to vote but were able to work. In the article, From Utopia to Mill Town. Women chose to work in mills instead of more formal jobs. Working in the mills allowed woman to get more pay and gave them a sense of freedom. Lowells Mills employed many women which were White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. Many women in the mills were from New England farms. Having worked in farms for so long gave women the idea of routine. The women who worked at mills were those of low incomes and wanted to have independence from complete monotony. As viewed by most Americans if not all Americans those of low income dream of having a radiant lifestyle. Women who chose working in mills over traditional jobs such as teaching or house wife longed for that lifestyle Due to lack of labor laws women were forced to work 6 days being up before sunlight and ending at dusk. The women received $2.00 to $4.00. This was half the average working man. The women usually worked 12 hours a day depending on the season. Women were only given 3 holidays a year without pay. Working in the mills were unsafe environment for any mill worker to endure. Due to lack of knowledge of new machines many women were hurt. During the year the windows were nailed shut and women had to suffer the heat and dangerous fumes in the air. Critics even stated that women who worked in such conditions were going home to die. It was a very harsh time for women. Even though they were making okay money the effects on there body and safety may not have been worth it. The Lowell experiment failed due to increase hours and pay falling. The LFLRA (Lowell Female Labor Reform Association) and began protesting against wage cuts and increased hours in unsafe conditions. Soon the group of women left the mill and Lowell was forced to higher slow Irish women. These women were uneducated and often cost the mills more money t...