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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Leeming describe the mythic concern with creation?

2. How does Leeming describe the Greek people's pantheon?

3. What does Leeming say the Indian creation myths were concerned with?

4. What does Leeming say the Hebraic people's monotheistic god focused on?

5. When does Leeming say the Greek pantheon was adapted to Roman religion?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the first creation myth to originate in Egypt.

2. How does Leeming define the cosmic myth?

3. How does Leeming describe the Norse pantheon?

4. How does Leeming define a "cosmogony" and what kinds of stories are contained in cosmogonies?

5. Describe the Hopi creation myth.

6. How does Leeming describe the Egyptian pantheon?

7. How does Leeming say that cultures still worship the Great Mother?

8. What stories or topics does Leeming include in the category of cosmic myths?

9. How does Leeming say the Romans altered the Greek pantheon?

10. How does Leeming say the figure of the trickster?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Use two different metaphorical frameworks to analyze one myth. For instance, you could describe the myth as a metaphor for political, psychological, spiritual, linguistic, social, or historical realities. Which framework is "better" for analysis in this case? What makes one framework better than another? How can you say when a certain interpretation has gone too far?

Essay Topic 2

What is the setting for a myth, and is this collection the proper place for keeping these myths alive? Does a myth require a ceremonial, ritual, or religious setting, or a certain storytelling environment, or is a myth no matter where it is told or recorded. How much is a myth dependent on the circumstances of its telling? Is a myth different when it is analyzed than it is when it is told as a story in response to events of a question?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze two similar myths from different cultures, and characterize the fundamental correspondence between them. How do you account for the distinct features of each myth? Are they culturally relevant markers that characterize each culture? Are they superfluous to the essential myth itself, and therefore merely personal or individual in nature?

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This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample