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Example: Creating a Myth Planning Guide |
Directions: You will be writing a myth about a modern-day hero in the style of a Greek myth. Use the following as a guide to start planning your myth.
General questions about the contemporary hero’s life and achievement(s):
| Question |
Contemperary |
My Myth (Based on Greek Mythology) |
|
Hero |
Rosa Parks |
Gaia—mother of Titans, mother of all |
|
Age |
42 |
|
Hero’s Qualities
|
Stood up for what she believed
in—equality. She fought against
segregation in the south.
She was brave. |
Earth mother. Manifested in enclosed
spaces—the house, the courtyard, the
womb, the cave. Sacred animals—snake,
lunar bull, pig, bees. In her hand, poppy
transforms to pomegranate. Symbol of
unity of life and nature. |
| Family |
Raymond-husband |
Uranus (the sky)--husband |
| Location |
Montgomery, Alabama—on a bus |
On a chariot in ancient Greece |
| Characters |
Bus driver |
Hermes, messenger of Zeus—wore
winged cap and winged shoes, robber,
plunger, cattle driver, the patron of
travelers |
| Policemen |
Ares--god of war |
| MLK |
Atlas—led the struggle between the Titans
and Olympians; supported the sky on his
shoulders |
| Civil rights activists |
Titans (over-reachers) |
Challenge
|
She has to decide if she should
continue to live her life abiding by
the laws of segregation or stand
up for what she believes in. |
The Titans are treated as inferiors to the
Olympians, even though they ruled before
the coming of the Olympians. What should
they do about their inferior status? |
Obstacles
|
She has no rights and, as an
African-American, is seen as an
inferior person. |
The Olympians were very powerful rulers
led by Zeus. They had lots of powers. |
Overcoming Challenges
|
She decides to stand up for what
she believes in and take the risk
of being arrested. |
Gaia decides to take a stand against the
Olympians. On the chariot, she transforms
to … |
Results
|
Her arrest brought about the
protests for more than a year.
MLK led the civil rights
movement.
She says, “ ...and to let it be
known wherever we go that all of
us should be free and equal and
have all opportunities that others
should have.” |
She gives birth to the Titans who work
together to defeat the Olympians. They
are opposed to war, so they try to do this
nonviolently. Atlas leads the struggle.
They use nonviolent means…Atlas holds
up the heavens. |
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