Mythology:How Society Has Evolved with the Myths in their Culture - Essay Example

 OUTLINE INTRODUCTION I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MYTHOLOGY II. MYTHOLOGY AND THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIETIES III. PRESENT-DAY MYTHS CONCLUSION 1 Mythology: “How Society Has Evolved with the Myths in their Culture” Introduction Mythology represents the rituals, symbols and beliefs of Ancients societies that reflect wisdom, traditional values and the morality of their communities. It is the expression of people’s culture that vehicles their realities and ways of life. Myths have existed in different societies in various parts of the world since the beginning of humanity. This writer informs: “However, says Campbell, the evidence suggests that even disparate mythologies from other parts of world, such as North and South America, apparently bear origins similar to the Egypto-Indo-European ones” (Jewell). Even though myths exist in different societies, each culture has its own myths inherent to its realities and different from those in other cultures. This author states: “Myth narrates a sacred history; it relates an event that took place in primordial Time, the fabled time of the ‘beginnings’. In other words myth tells how, through the deeds of Supernatural Beings, a reality came into existence, be it the whole of reality, the Cosmos, or only a fragment of reality--an island, a species of plant, a particular kind of human behavior, an institution” (Eliade). These different aspects of myths demonstrate the complexity of the issue and its dimension. Despite their characterization as primitive and archaic, myths have much significance because they provide man with great wisdom and values and at the same time contribute to the expression of culture and the building of strong societies. These valuable contributions prepare human beings to adapt to the changes in their societies and the current mythology in the modern world. The differences between the ancient and the new myths reflect the realities in the cultures of these societies that also relate to the values of their people. Indeed, the modern man embraces the new 2 culture of this advanced world and does no longer reenact the old myths but creates new ones conform to modernity while the primitive man used to fully express his beliefs, rituals and symbols as representations of himself and his community. I. The Significance of Mythology Mythology reflects the display of various human actions that take place in different cultures and times. These actions may take various forms related to the history, the experiences, the beliefs and customs inherent to each culture. This expression of culture offers a genuine connection between different generations of peoples and allows the passing on of values and traditions throughout time. This statement informs: “Mythology gives us a common set of symbols for complex human actions and emotions, a set of symbols that stretches across many cultures and time periods.  Indeed, it is through the power and content of myth that we often can directly and empathetically relate to peoples who have gone before us, even if they lived thousands of years ago” (Jewell). Even though different cultures have different forms of myths, their creation is almost common in all societies, thereby, revealing that all human societies understand the significance and value of mythology. The variety of the actions and symbols expressing the mythology of each culture does not take away their existence and meaning in almost all communities around the world. Therefore, apart from the ritual aspects of mythology, it also represents a vehicle of wisdom and morality fundamental for humanity. This author reflects: “Myth fulfills in primitive culture an indispensable function: it expresses, enhances and codifies belief; it safeguards and enforces morality; it vouches for the efficiency of ritual and contains practical rules for the guidance of man. Myth is thus a vital ingredient of human 3 civilization; it is not an idle tale, but a hard-worked active force” (Eliade). So, myth provides several values that contribute to the formation of man and teach him life lessons vital to human beings and to the development of communities as well. Many studies demonstrate that myth does not hinder the evolution and development of societies. The world has been changing throughout the years and as the principal agents of these transformations, human beings understand that they do need the values, beliefs and rituals myths provide, but they also have to adapt to the new changes in their societies if they do not want to be left behind. This new conception of the world and its realities allows societies to evolve despite the myths in them. This writer gives the example of the Native American experience: “Contemporary Native American writer Louise Erdrich’s novel The Antelope Wife also fits the twin myth pattern, demonstrating the continuing vita 3lity of myth. Her contemporary myth offers symbolism direction for contemporary Native Americans whose culture is currently experiencing a re-birth or renewal of culture” (Magoulick). Even though Native Americans have not been reenacting most of their rituals, many of them still believe in their culture. However, they also comprehend that as part of the fast growing American society, they also have to adapt in order to fully participate in the evolution of their communities. The recent attempts to revive their culture demonstrate their beliefs in their traditional values and their willingness to transmit them to the upcoming generations. Similarly, the Australian natives also have the same connection with their culture even though they strive to integrate the mainstream society in order to take advantage of the changes around the world. This article foregrounds: “Traditional Aboriginal societies share the idea that the earth and humans were created in a distant past. This time is called ‘the 4 Dreaming’ or ‘the Dreamtime.’ People can come into contact with the origins of creation when they dream. Many Aboriginal rituals connect the everyday world of the present to the mysterious Dreamtime of the past” (Aborigine). This ability to connect the present to the past indicates the significance of myth that revitalizes the past and enlightens present generations. II. Mythology and the Evolution of Societies Mythology has been an important part of people’s lives throughout the years; however, with the current transformations in societies it takes a new form compatible with the modern age. Indeed, the evolution of the society goes hand in hand with genuine changes in myths, thereby, demonstrating human beings’ ability to adapt to new realities. These changes do not mean that mythology disappears altogether, but it just takes a new shape to conform to the advance of the society. This writer observes: “Myths continue to intrigue us because of their rich symbolic, metaphorical, and narrative appeal. Some people believe classical music, movies, and even novels have filled the places myths used to occupy culturally. In our post-modern world many people believe myths exist in new, combined, or revived forms. One of the functions of all art is to reconcile us to paradox” (Magoulick). Unlike his forebears who used to fully and openly express their rituals and beliefs, the modern man does not have to go through a reenactment of the process. This difference in the treatment of myth between the current generations and the past ones explains the prevailing gap. This assertion confirms: “While a modern man, though regarding himself as the result of the course of Universal History, does not feel obliged to know the whole of it, the man of the archaic societies is not only obliged to remember mythical history but also to re-enact a large part of it periodically” (Eliade). Even though, people in current 5 generations believe in myths, they do not display the rituals as before and may even have some disinterest in some of them. These different attitudes reflect the realities in the time periods because each generation follows its own trends. Furthermore, present day studies recognize mythology as a form of theory that reflects human life and its complexity. These researches view it as a psychological evaluation of the world with its different assets. This empirical consideration of myths conflicts with their stereotypical image that labels them as old fashioned and archaic. These contradictory reports indicate the complexity of the issue and the attention it draws from different people with diverse interests who attempt to reveal its significance. This author claims: Mythology is a valid way to look at the world. Even if we respect the archetypal significance of mythology, we might disregard myths as primitive, clumsy attempts to express those psychological truths. But some authors have argued that mythology is actually a sophisticated means of labeling and studying psychological dynamics -- a means which is as cultured and insightful as that of modern psychology.(Stout) This connection between mythology and psychology demonstrates the importance of myths that allow people to have a better understanding of their lives and their surroundings. This vision of mythology as a theory shows that it cannot be a hindrance to the evolution of societies but a valuable factor that contributes to their development and that of humanity. Besides, mythology represents a true expression of culture that displays the rituals, beliefs and symbols of different 6 societies. However, throughout time, myths may go through some transformations when they get in touch with other cultures; which explains the changes we experience in the present time. This author argues: “Myths may change over time, particularly after contact with other cultures, but they do not change and adapt to new periods and technological developments in the same way science does. Myths may be enacted through rituals and believed in absolutely, but they usually do not have physical effects in the real world, as in leading to new technology for building cars or providing medical treatment” (Aboriginal). Even though mythology is not as practical as science it may provide people with wisdom, morality and valuable insights allowing them to become better human beings likely to contribute greatly to the building of their communities and societies. III. Present-Day Myths Even though ancient myths are no longer reenacted and most of them have altogether disappeared, the post-modern age has its own myths reflecting its own realities. In this technological world of the twenty-first century, myths take a form totally different from the old ones. These unusual myths urge many authors to question the originality of the current mythology and even express concerns about the shallowness of current societies that may not cherish any cultural or traditional values. This author expresses the different perspectives: “Our modern society has its own myths. Some authors say that our society lacks a vigorous mythology; they believe that this lack can cause a sense of meaninglessness, estrangement, rootlessness, and the cold brittleness of a life devoid of reverence and awe. Other authors assert that we do have a mythology -- in certain concepts (such as ‘progress’) and in our larger-than-life 7 celebrities” (Stout). These new myths do not express any values, morality or wisdom, thereby, raising the authenticity of this mythology solely based on personal achievement. Indeed, the search and accumulation of wealth constitutes the main goal of many people in present-day societies, which makes success and fame real myths. This belief in individual progress deeply contrasts with the community-oriented myths in the past that expressed values useful for the whole society. Thus, the current myths are very diverse, inauthentic and ephemeral because they do not rely on solid foundation but on other people’s perceptions. Each circle has its own myths different from the others, and this fragmentation desacralizes mythology and even jeopardizes its existence. This author observes: “The media enlarges certain people to mythical proportions, and we each do the same (often by projecting the ‘Hero’ archetype onto other people). Corporations have a mythology, in their ‘corporate culture’. There is a mythology in every group -- our social club, our family, our profession, our subculture, our ethnic group, our religion and denomination, our city” (Stout). These myths are formed depending on affiliation, success, fame or even political orientation, in which the media plays a key role by promoting people according to individual achievement. Moreover, the present day myths also include the stories people make about themselves, others and the events around them. These stories solely depend on people’s perception of the events, their cultural environment and the functioning of their own mind. Therefore, different people develop different myths related to their culture, their experiences and their understanding. This author claims: we mythologize our lives, making stories of them that fit our understanding of 8 reality.  Not only is this how our minds work, but also we are attracted to such stories that make sense to us, and so many of us take great pleasure in hearing various kinds of myths, too.  Myth- and story-oriented psychologists say that whether we make our own myths or we enjoy others, ancient or new, the important threads of our constructed selves--of our life meanings--are mythic. (Jewell) These myths constitute real attempts to make meaning out of life while trying to grasp its significance according to people’s perception. These story-based myths are individualistic and don’t have anything to do with the ancients ones that constitute the representations of a whole society and the expression of their culture. However, these recent myths are also the reflection of the present-day society and its realities that put forward individual achievement and fame over agreed upon values of the whole community. Conclusion Different studies show the importance of mythology in human life and praise the societies that implemented them as an expression of their culture. Many societies, in different parts of the world, developed mythology and maintained it for several generations in order to perpetuate their culture and teach their young people about their values, wisdom and morality. Most of these lessons have been preserved until today in different museums around the world. This author gives the example of the Aborigines’ teachings in Australia: “These stories contain many lessons about life. They are presented in chants, songs, paintings, costumes, dances and plays. Originally, the Aboriginal culture is an oral one, with stories being passed from one 9 generation to the next by word of mouth. Today such stories are also presented in written form. One can still find ancient Dreamtime stories on Aboriginal rock art throughout Australia” (Aboriginal). This preservation of ancient cultures allows current generations to be aware of their culture and proud of their heritage. However, with the constant changes happening in the world, human beings have to adapt to the new realities in their societies. Therefore, these transformations have a real impact in mythology that lost its original form because societies and their realities and cultures change throughout the years. Compelled to follow the trends of the advanced world, the modern man finds new forms of myths compatible with the evolution of new societies. These new myths constitute a thorough reflection of the cultural realities of current societies that put forward individual achievement and fame. This focus on personal progress differs completely from the ancient myths that put forward communal values and well-being for the preservation of the whole society. This deep contrast calls for the attention of current researchers who recognize the significance of mythology and its valuable contribution in forming decent and wise men likely to build better societies with genuine cultures. 10 Works Cited Aboriginal Culture. “The Big Myth.” Distant Train. 2011. Web. 2 Nov. 2013. Eliade, Mircea. Myth and Reality. Trans. Willard R. Trask. New York: Harper & Row, 1963. Comminfo.rutgers.edu. Web. 2 Nov. 2013. Jewell, Richard. “Mythology--Stories of Who We Are.” Experiencing The Humanities. 2002. Umn.edu/home/jewel. Web. 2 Nov. 2013.                 Magoulick, Mary. “What is Myth?” Faculty.de.gcsu.edu. 2010. Web. 2 Nov. 2013. Stout, James Harvey. “What is mythology?” Myths-Dreams-Symbols. 2012. Web. 2 Nov. 2013 Read More