Freshmen: Today we concluded our lesson on How to Write for School. Your task is to revise (i.e. improve) your analytical essay on the film More. In order to do so, you should do the following things: 1. Review the prompt posted on an earlier blog post; 2. Re-watch the film, which can be found on youtube; 3. Revise your essay based on both the comments I made regarding your essay and the lesson we had the past two days in class.
After you have revised and improved your essay, print it. On the printed page, annotate the changes you made to your essay. This means you should write, by hand, the changes you made to your essay and why you made them on the page, on the spot where you made those changes. You will hand in your revised, annotated essay on Tuesday, September 3.
Remember to read for 20 minutes and that vocabulary Chapter 1 is due September 6.
Sophomores: Today our focus was on concluding the interview between Campbell and Moyers regarding The Message of the Myth. Tonight, post a comment on today's blog that answers the prompt:
Summarize in a paragraph or so Joseph Campbell’s most important ideas as they relate to stories and what stories reveal about humanity. Read and respond to others’ responses and sign your entry by first name, last initial, and English period.
Remember, Part I of Life of Pi, and your notes for seminar, are due next block period. Your This I Believe Worksheet and
vocabulary Chapter 1 are due September 6.CNF: Today we finished reading the Introduction and Chapter 1 from Blink. Be sure to have your seminar notes for our discussion tomorrow.
53 comments:
I think his most important idea was that all of the creation myths are very metaphorical. This means that people need to look deeper into some of them. Also that these creation myths are all very similar and share a lot of similar traits. These creation myths show just how similar all of the human beliefs are. Because all of these stories are formed around one main being or spirit that creates everything.
According to Campbell myths are the way of humans to seek meaning, letting us know who we are and where we are from. They provide us an „identity“. Myths help us find answers to the biggest questions of humanity like questions about existence, life, death and God. This shows the human thinking: Humans don‘t want to live an unmeaning life and after death fade into „nothing“. We want to have a future, something to hold on to even after death. Myths provide us humans a basic cultural framework, we can pass on from generation to generation. Campbell explains how he thinks that all religions and their myths are true in their own, unique way. He thinks that hell and heaven are within us with all the Gods and all things.
-Marc M. 2nd Period
Most myths fuel the idea that we as people need and want something to believe in. We look into myths to find a deeper meaning of life; throughout our lives, we're constantly looking for meaning. Myths also provide us with a type of guide to live. Myths commonly compare to our everyday life, giving us something to learn from and live through.
-Erin S, period 8
I think Mr. Campbell's most important idea was realizing that we are living, whereas Moyers was focused on the "why are we alive" side of things. I think this is an interesting idea, we can go our whole lives trying to figure out who we are and what we are destined for, or we could just live and let life simply happen. Both are very different ways of life.
-Madeleine B. 8th Period.
I agree with Aidan that people need to search for the deeper meaning of the myths. We sometimes interpret things differently, but as long as you receive the message of the story, there is value in it. These metaphors and messages within the stories can provide valuable lessons, when properly interpreted. I think that all of the stories Campbell presented displays that all humans, no matter their culture, have attempted to find answers for our creation, the meaning of our lives, and have searched for a higher power. Many of these stories shared similar components, which i found interesting.
I think that his most important idea was that in today's society we can't and don't have myths. He said that we move to fast and that society moves to fast for us to have myths. He also said that sometimes this causes conflict. Mainly Between the three main "western religions." They all believe in the same God but each have a different name for that God.
Adam M. period 4
Zala Long P.4
Campbell's message was that we can all learn from a myth and use it to guide you in life no matter what culture you come from. I agree with Douglas and how he said that we all interpret myths different, but as long as you get something from the myth it's ok. Another point Campbell was trying to point out is that "We are all seeking an experience of being alive." Which I found to be very true because we all want some amazing life experience to look back on. All in all I believe Campbell was saying that there is no right or wrong myth.
What Campbell is trying to tell is that we need a meaning in life. We feel that if we dont know what happens after death we just would give up, instead of pushing on. Myths inspire us to be better. To improve ourself and do great thing so we can be remembered through life and after death. We strive to become the heroes we praise.
Roberto C. Pascucci period 6 8/29/13
I think the most important idea Campbell had was that we all need something to believe in. We may have one God or we many have multiple gods, but we all have the same sort of idea. We want to know what is out there that we can't see.
Harry Pendergrast
period 4
Also agreeing with Aidan saying that many human creation myths are alike in a sense that there is usually a superior being (God) who creates everything. Most myths deal with how we came to be, and what our purpose is here on earth. There is always a much deeper meaning in these myths. It reveals that us humans, use the stories to obtain more knowledge and understanding.
Matt Shiramizu, Period 4
After watching the video, I think Joseph Campbell's most important ideas were referring to things that were transcendent. Many of the myths were metaphors, and involved a deity. I agree with Aidan when he said, "people need to look deeper into some of them (myths)." I believe that this "belief in a higher power" explains human beings so well because we look for someone to look up to, but to also blame for our own mistakes.
Rylee K.
Period 4
I think Campbell's most important idea was that even though the myths are metaphorical, they all have a deeper meaning. Even though we may not see it, we are constantly looking for someone or something to follow. Myths are just stories that define our lives. Most myths always have some sort of test or temptation that God has given them, but it depends on whether the person in the myth accepts or denies the temptation; this is the same with our lives. I agree with Erin when she says that we're always looking for some kind of meaning, and that myths help us find them.
-Katie L, Period 4
I believe that one of the most important ideas of Campbell was that all humans are seeking the experience of being alive and that this searching can lead to the question of why we are alive and weather or not a certain deity placed us on this earth. Almost everyone at some point in their lives has wondered why the world is the way that it is, so we turn to myths and religion so that we might comprehend the meaning of existence more easily. This is why Campbell says that all religions and myths are similar, because we are searching for the same thing.
-Tank S. 8th Period
I agree with Harry P. in that we all need something to believe in and that we all have similar ideas about who God is. This similarity shows that humankind originated from the same place and that we all came up with a similar reason for why we are all alive.
-Tank S. Period 8
I think Campbell's most important idea was that myths provide comfort, some sort of inkling of where we came from, or where we might be going. They help guide us morally, and they give life meaning. Humans are a very curious species, full of desires and a need for a purpose, and myths are a tool to find that.
Jami D. Period 2
I absolutely agree with Campbell in the sense that humans seek deeper meaning from their myths. It is important to look at ourselves when we read things that have a deeper meaning put into the form of a mythical concept or character. Myths often have correlation to events that we can be oblivious to every day. As humans, we should look for these subliminal messages, look for how it connects to our daily problems or successes, and connect the two.
Campbell explained that humans create myths as a way of explaining things in life. Myths are also ways of explaining religion, like creation story's, and myth about God. In some cases myths explain humanity its self. these days people don't necessarily think of myths as literally as people did long ago. We think of them as just story's. I think if these days people weren't so distracted we might learn from some myths important life lessons.
I think that myths are what ties us to our roots and our original beliefs. Myths give us something to hold onto in life, they're what keep us going. They give meaning to the term humanity by striving to explain why we're here and why everything is the way it is, and I think that's why myths are so important to us as humans.
Ethan G. Period 2
I think that Campbell's most important idea were that myths have a more of a meaning then what you only understand by hearing the story once, and not looking at it more closely. With all myths that you read you should try to find the deepest meaning. These stories reveal a lot about humans and their beliefs. All of these myths are pretty close to what we as humans believe.
-Ben Jones P.2
I agree with Aidan and Douglas in being that there is a deeper meaning and understanding that reveals through our culture interpreting these creation myths. Along with the different metaphors each culture has a unique mystery that each myth has. As Campbell said, "Myths tell us the meaning of our lives, and are metaphors of transcendency." Also we search for that "Higher Being" that all these myths have in common, which I found very interesting.
-Danny O'Brien Period 2
I think the most important idea that Campbell pointed out is the idea that we are living. Moyer's tried focusing on the idea "why are we living". This reminds me of the quote "We all have to start live before we get to old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets." Campbell wanted us to focus on the idea of just living and not letting our own selves get in the way. We are our own barrier. Trying to find who we are is much different than the idea of living just to live.
Myths are manifestations of something bigger. They parallel what is happening in the world with the gods and higher powers. I think that this idea was one that Campbell was really trying to propell in this interview. We as humans look to myths as to why something is happening. When we don't understand something, it is a myth or a story that helps us understand. I also think that Campbell was trying to send this message. These two messages say a lot about the evolution of myths and how human beings react to higher powers in the world
Emily DeCarolis Period 8
Campell was talking about the importance of myths, and what they mean to humanity. He defined a myth as a clue to the spiritual potentialities of life, or the experience of living life. He said that myths are about what it means to be a human on earth and to have the 'rapture' of being alive. He also said that another aspect of myth was defining what can't be named or seen, God. Like Tyrees and Harry mentioned, we all try to explain why we are here and who, if anyone, made us. Campbell said that this is the ultimate idea we think about, regardless of which religion we believe in, and it is what makes myths so important to people everywhere.
The one thing that I did not agree with Campbell on was his discussion of good vs. evil. He said that Western religions see human impulses as bad things, while in Eastern religions, impulse is natural and good. He said that sorrow and evil are part of the world, and that is the way it is. He said to participate in evil decently. I think that part of the reason we have so much violence and hatred in our world is because people do participate in evil all the time. If we have impulses, I do not think we should give in to them just because other people in the world have. We should do what we can to improve the situation of the world.
Olivia P. 4th Period
First of all Mr. Baird thats a bold prediction but we all know that won't happen. These creation storys all tie together in a way. They are all based off of one being that creates all.
I think that Campbell's biggest point was that explaining how we are created, is a human need. We need to know that life didn't just happen, that we have a purpose in life. Campbell's idea shows a large part of human nature. The physical need for someone to be responsible for our lives is found in most people.
Campbell also pointed out how to be a hero, you must not be compelled by greed or fear. The greed factor is found in many cultures creation myths. This shows us how to live our lives. Creation myths have life lessons in them to teach us how to behave and what is acceptable.
Campbell has the idea that we are all manifestations of divinity. This tells us that we all have a piece of God with in us no matter what.
Myths show us that human beings need something to believe in. Myths give us a deeper meaning to our lives, spiritually and mentally. Myths are used to connect us with a higher power.
Tessa G
8th Period
I agree with Danny O'brian. All of these myths have a much deeper meaning then it seems. Some may say there are more to them then meets the eye. I agree with Campbell that we as humans need to look deeper into these myths and get a better understanding for what they really mean. All of these myths are some how linked and can tell us a lot about the world we live in. It is up to us to learn about them or not.
River R. 2nd period
During his interview, Mr.Campbell read several myths from different cultures. All the myths acknowledged a higher power that created and cared for humans. To me this show an inner longing inside humans to know their purpose on earth. It shows we all need something to believe, it's part of our nature. These myths show us that we are part of something bigger.
Rebecca H.
period 4
The point that Campbell made was that humans created myths to explain the things we don't understand. He says that humans want to have an experience in life - it's not in heaven that we gain one. We have to gain an experience here, and that's why myths were created - they show experiences of other people (heroes).
Kalia W.
Period 8
Like Marc, Erin, and a few others, I think Joseph Campbell's most important idea, as it relates to stories and what stories reveal about humanity, is that myths exist for the human's need to believe in something higher than themselves. We believe in myths to find a deeper meaning of life, so we can live life knowing we live it for something or someone. Joseph Campbell is now added to the list of people I want to meet, whether it's in this lifetime or the next one.
- Anna N. pd. 8
Campbell pointed out that a strong vocabulary cannot capture some amazing experiences, but telling a story about this experience can explain the feeling. I think that Campbell was trying to explain that this was the objective of myths. He also said that myths are explanations for different things of their time period; that the myths were never wrong, just correct for their time. Myths also address questions about creation, and why things were created, such as the earth and humans. Myths also represent many things like women representing life. Over all I think the main meaning in Campbell's interview was that myths help us decipher why things happen in our world and give us the experiences.
Ethan A. Period 4
I think that what Campbell and that other stylish dude with the sick glasses where talking about was that, like many other people said, we all want something to believe in, and most of us use something to fill in that gap of unknowingness. Many of us believe in gods or many gods, or something that might not even be a "God" to use fill this gap of knowledge, and we all seek to find out proof of what really is in that gap and what has really created everything that we have.
Nick Richardson
Per. 8
Like Emily said in the interview Campbell's most important idea was that people look at myths to explain what is happening in the world. We look for things that can explain everything to us, we find the answers we seek in myths. It is just like how we look up to higher powers for answers and explanations.
Charissa B
Period 8
There are many important ideas that Mr. Campbell uses in his interview about creation stories and myths. I think some of the most important parts are that they are metaphors comparing to other significant things and that they provide us with an identity. We often have to use these stories to explain things that humans do not quite understand. He also talks about all these stories usually having one higher being that is the creator.
One of Campbell's most important ideas was that myths are metaphorical. It is up to us to look deeper into the stories to find the morals and therefore learn something from them. Human's strive to find meaning in the world, whether it be how we came to exist, or what happens once we've left the earth. The similarities between the world's myths really show how all of the different cultures are bonded through the search for meaning. Even though they have similarities, they are unique as well. As Campbell notes, all religions and myths are true in their own ways.
- Kendall T. Period 4
I think Campbells main point was that myths are clues or guidelines so that humans can achieve their potential. With these clues we find deeper meaning in life by living for a higher power not just ourselves. These clues can be shown today with the grand civilizations we built and things we humans created. Myths also teach us to participate in life when you are not compelled by greed or fear a good value we can all learn from.
Carlo A. Period 8
During the interview, it was pointed out to me that a lot of the myths had to do with the creation of humans and how they came to be. The myths he mentioned were important because they related to a lot of the myths and share the same meanings. Myths help us humans get a better understanding of why we are here and how everything began before us.
-Grace N. Period 8
I agree with Erin Sleater. Throughout the interview I was thinking about myths and how they give us something to believe in. I believe that in the past centuries people have created myths to simply have some stronger power(s) to believe in, to thank and to pray to. Campbell also brought up the point that we need to find the deeper meaning behind the myths. We believe in them but we don't fully grasp the hidden meaning.
Marissa U Period 8
Watching the interview between Campbell and Moyers has lessened my belief in faith. Campbell kept telling us stories of other people creating similar stories to our Christian faith. The overall idea is that humans have this urge that they belong to something. From day one we’ve continued this tradition of having ranks. I feel as if every religion starts with vulnerable people looking for hope and tries to make their religion more desirable by changing it up a bit. Which is why all religions are similar, but not exact.
-Lexi Hoggan
Period 8
Campbell presents many ideas in the documentary Messages of Myths, but I think that one stands out above all. He really points out that all of the religions have some being(s) or deity(s) higher than people, and they had some part in the creation of the world, or the creation of man. All the stories correlated around that point, and many other points can be made off that, such as most religions are surrounded by lessons and deeper meanings. That really is something that he used quite a bit to make other points.
Campbell presents many ideas in the documentary Messages of Myths, but I think that one stands out above all. He really points out that all of the religions have some being(s) or deity(s) higher than people, and they had some part in the creation of the world, or the creation of man. All the stories correlated around that point, and many other points can be made off that, such as most religions are surrounded by lessons and deeper meanings. That really is something that he used quite a bit to make other points.
Campbell presents many ideas in the documentary Messages of Myths, but I think that one stands out above all. He really points out that all of the religions have some being(s) or deity(s) higher than people, and they had some part in the creation of the world, or the creation of man. All the stories correlated around that point, and many other points can be made off that, such as most religions are surrounded by lessons and deeper meanings. That really is something that he used quite a bit to make other points.
Tyler Rollman Period 2
All the myths and creation stories are worshiped and shared by people because humans have to know why things are the way the are. Without these creation stories humans would be living in a world of mystery. Most of the stories have someone or something put higher up then any other creation. Some people take the stories very literally. Campbell states that we should search a deeper meaning in these stories.
Lindsey Pelly period 8
Absent 8/29
I agree with aidan that all of the myths are a metaphore and only an easy explanation for how the earth was created. But all the myths have something in common which we should look into deeper than just reading it. these myths help connect all of us together with our beliefs. Jacob period 4
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