For this assignment you will be writing a directed analysis of the Norse Creation story (Gaiman) making use of a secondary text (McCoy) to give you definitions that you can apply directly to the myth to get it to open up to you | Online Homework Aiders

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For this assignment you will be writing a directed analysis of the Norse Creation story (Gaiman) making use of a secondary text (McCoy) to give you definitions that you can apply directly to the myth to get it to open up to you. Joseph Campbell called this “using a textual skeleton key.”

Again, we begin with this primary question: What is the essential lesson of the Norse Creation Myth? Then structure your answer (analysis) as follows:

Part I: Order From Chaos

What does this mean to you? (Explain). Now, go to the texts.

• • McCoy: How does he define this concept (use a quote)?
  • Gaiman: Where do you see this concept, as defined by McCoy, in the primary text (use a quote)?
  • You: Explain how McCoy’s definition is illustrated by Gaiman’s example. This is where you explain why you put the puzzle together as you did. It is like math, show your work by explaining why you put these two texts together as you did.

Part II: Centrality of Conflict

What does this mean to you? (Explain). Now, go to the texts.

• • McCoy: How does he define this concept (use a quote)?
  • Gaiman: Where do you see this concept, as defined by McCoy, in the primary text (use a quote)?
  • You: Explain how McCoy’s definition is illustrated by Gaiman’s example. This is where you explain why you put the puzzle together as you did. It is like math, show your work by explaining why you put these two texts together as you did.

Part III: Giants and Gods Define the World (remember that, in myth, Giants and Gods are metaphors. You decide metaphors for what).

What does this mean to you? (Explain). Now, go to the texts.

• • McCoy: How does he define this concept (use a quote)?
  • Gaiman: Where do you see this concept, as defined by McCoy, in the primary text (use a quote)?
  • You: Explain how McCoy’s definition is illustrated by Gaiman’s example. This is where you explain why you put the puzzle together as you did. It is like math, show your work by explaining why you put these two texts together as you did.

Part IV: So what?

Based on your reading and focused explication of the Norse text, answer the original question: What is the essential lesson of the Norse Creation Myth?

• As you answer, explore and explain your own thought process as you completed the sections above. Remember, the goal of this exercise is to make you aware of the social, natural, and psychological forces that constrain and direct your thoughts and actions in everyday life. How does an awareness of order and chaos, conflict, vital forces relate to your everyday life?
• You can also get creative and do a quick comparison between this story and another account of creation (religious or scientific) and discuss connections you see.
• Be speculative. The purpose of myth is to use the texts as a mirror where we can examine ourselves as we analyze the text. As you work through parts 1-3, be aware of your thought process, ideas, and feelings about the material and use those in part 4.

In general, you want this paper to be 3-4 pages.

I will be looking for your practice in two skills:

1. 1. The ability to synthesize a primary (Gaiman) and a secondary (McCoy) text.
   2. The ability to directly engage mythical texts and arrive at a personal sense of meaning.