Question 1

Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "The Lotos-eaters," based on a section of Homer's The Odyssey, is considered an example of how myth

Accepted Answer

A)   gives glimpses into the afterlife.
B)   is updated to provide powerful parables.
C)   persists into the twenty-first century.
D)   continues to influence the humanities. D

Question 2

Common sayings often present unexamined mythic beliefs about the world. Choose a common saying and analyze what the personal or social function of that saying might be. In what ways might this way of looking at the world be limited or narrow?
I. Choose a common saying.
II. Explain what the saying means.
III. Tell how such a myth functions.
IV. Explain how such a myth might have limitations.

Accepted Answer

I. Common saying: "Money can't buy happiness."

II. Meaning: This saying suggests that material wealth and possessions are not the key to true happiness and fulfillment in life. It implies that there are more important things in life than money, such as love, relationships, and personal fulfillment.

III. Function: This saying serves as a reminder to prioritize non-material aspects of life and to not become overly focused on wealth and possessions. It can also serve as a source of comfort for those who may not have a lot of money, reassuring them that they can still find happiness and contentment in other ways.

IV. Limitations: While the saying "money can't buy happiness" is meant to encourage people to focus on non-material aspects of life, it can also be limiting in that it overlooks the very real impact that financial stability and security can have on a person's overall well-being. For many people, having enough money to meet their basic needs and live comfortably can greatly contribute to their happiness. Additionally, this saying may overlook the systemic inequalities and injustices that can result from a lack of financial resources, and may downplay the importance of addressing economic disparities in society. Therefore, while the saying may have good intentions, it can be narrow in its perspective and fail to acknowledge the complex relationship between money and happiness.

Question 3

If the myth we are studying involves the notion that life is a series of happenings rather than a quest, that myth is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   the Western idea of life as a journey.
B)   a Western hero myth.
C)   the non-Western idea of life as a journey.
D)   a non-Western hero myth. C

Question 4

Jung's label for the idea that humans share inborn and instinctual models for understanding human experience is

Accepted Answer

A)   archetypes.
B)   collective unconscious.
C)   migratory myths.
D)   mythological motifs.

Question 5

Which famous archetype is associated with the Western journey?

Accepted Answer

A)   the story of Siddhartha
B)   the story of Theseus
C)   the Holy Grail
D)   the myth of Pandora

Question 6

The Oedipus plays and The Oresteia plays all concern myths of

Accepted Answer

A)   being cursed by fate.
B)   human suffering.
C)   curiosity and disobedience.
D)   the natural world.

Question 7

A myth is best understood as a

Accepted Answer

A)   good way to understand the psychology of individuals.
B)   story, perhaps historical, that explains something beyond the natural.
C)   persistent erroneous belief.
D)   story of a great hero who overcomes adversity.

Question 8

Discuss the effects of today's mythic "us versus them" distinction mentioned in the chapter. Make clear in your essay whether you think this popular myth is helpful or harmful to society.
I. Describe the "us versus them" myth.
II. Detail the effects of it on today's society.
III. Explain why you think it is helpful or harmful.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the effects of today's mythic "us...

Question 9

What is meant by "anthropomorphism"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is meant by "anthropomorphism"?...

Question 10

Recent clichés such as "It is what it is" and "You only live once" might best be thought of as examples of

Accepted Answer

A)   childhood mythology.
B)   myths of the afterlife.
C)   popular mythology.
D)   Jungian archetypes.

Question 11

Write a brief essay describing a common myth from childhood that you now realize shaped some of your expectations of life. Analyze ways that that myth might be disenchanting or useful to children.
I. Describe a myth from childhood.
II. Detail how the myth shaped expectations.
III. Explain why the myth may be useful or disenchanting.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Write a brief essay describing a common...

Question 12

Choose a film or book version of a popular "superhero" of today, such as James Bond, Iron Man, or the Black Widow (from The Avengers). Write a detailed essay comparing this superhero to one of the heroes of mythology. Using the description of the hero in the chapter, explain how the hero of today relates to the hero of antiquity and what their similarities and differences might suggest about the continuity of values in cultures.
I. Identify and describe a modern superhero.
II. Relate the superhero to a hero from ages past.
III. Explain how the heroes are similar and different.
IV. Describe what these similarities and differences imply about the continuity of values in cultures.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Choose a film or book version of...

Question 13

The 1959 Brazilian film Black Orpheus is an updated version of a myth involving

Accepted Answer

A)   sailors who eat narcotic plants and must be rescued by a hero.
B)   a handsome shepherd with whom the moon falls in love.
C)   a descent into the underworld.
D)   a mythical Titan who stole fire from the Gods.

Question 14

Creation myths deal with

Accepted Answer

A)   bringing rich harvests to the earth.
B)   natural disasters and human suffering.
C)   the miraculous change from winter to summer.
D)   the unsolved question of the world's origin.

Question 15

Freudians may interpret the Minotaur myth as

Accepted Answer

A)   a young person's arriving at sexual maturity.
B)   the role of the parents in child development.
C)   an illustration of how life presents riddles.
D)   the unpromising childhood of heroes.

Question 16

The problem of suffering, woman as transgressor, and curiosity are all part of the

Accepted Answer

A)   Greek myth of Pandora.
B)   Greek myth of Persephone.
C)   Haida creation myth.
D)   Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh.

Question 17

The myth also known as "the problem of evil" concerns

Accepted Answer

A)   being cursed by fate.
B)   human suffering.
C)   the natural world.
D)   gods as human beings.

Question 18

If we believe that some famous actors (such as Robert Downey Jr.) or wealthy people (such as Bill Gates) might be authorities on things such as politics, we are seeing a modern example of which mythical feature?

Accepted Answer

A)   the special someone
B)   the hero's great deed
C)   the hero's loss of power
D)   early recognition of the hero

Question 19

The myths of childhood

Accepted Answer

A)   are representative of how we absorb values.
B)   are meant to teach valuable lessons.
C)   always comfort children with happy endings.
D)   usually contain a dark side.

Question 20

Describe whether the hero myth can help or hinder an adolescent in his or her development.
I. Describe the hero myth.
II. Explain how the myth can help or hinder an adolescent's development.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe whether the hero myth can help...

Exam 3: Myth and the Origin of the Humanities