Comments on Two Essays
Comment on Essay #1
The comment that myths are ‘a collection of stories to explain history pretty much’ is an accurate evaluation of myths. It is correct that myths are not necessarily true. However, what the essay does not point out is that myths are often metaphors that are indicative of the history of a people. Behind the seemingly implausible myth might lie the true story of a people. For instance, the Indian myth about how mammoth attacks on Indians ceased (Schlosser) indicates the geographic origins of the Indian peoples. It is necessary to read within the text of myths to interpret the real story that the myths reveal. Thus, myths may in many ways equal ‘sacred history’ in their importance to Indian heritage.
Comment on Essay #2
It is true and Native Americans put great weight on their sacred histories. The fact that American history passed through the oral tradition is well substantiated. The claim that culture is a living and breathing object tended to by the Americans is borne out of the perspectives of how the Americans are deeply connected with nature and rely on symbols to make the connections. For instance, American sacred history is innately tied to drums that indicate a spiritual connection with the creator (Native Net). That said, it must be observed that both the symbols that indicate American ‘sacred history’ and the stories that delineate American myths need necessary interpretation to form a holistic connection to American history. To that extent, the myths and the oral traditions of sacred history are intertwined.
Works Cited
Native Net. “Native American Drums.” NativeNet.org. n.d. Web. February 14, 2016.
Schlosser, S.E. “Attack of the Mammoth.” AmericanFolklore.net. 2010. Web. February 14, 2016.
