It essential to denote that the ancient myths have worked itself into a modern day discourse as evident in the modern day televisions and cinema. The above is true owing the fact that the modern day medium incorporates modern format of communications that in essence provides a platform where people can communicate or rather pass messages to many other people across the globe. With the above said, it is imperative to make apparent the fact that the modern day formats of communication fosters the exchange of mythological discourse to a much greater audience more than ever before. Arguably, in the contemporary times, the basis of modern stories incorporated in cinema and television is deeply entrenched in the mythological traditions. Both cinema and television in the contemporary times tend to allude predominantly from the mythological tradition. A good example of a film that exemplifies the above is the Groundhog Day film. By focussing on the historical implications of the film and the cultural practices of the people practicing it, this paper will present reasons as to why Groundhog Day is a modern myth. This paper will in essence focus on how ancient stories have been given a new definition or rather an updated version.
Ground day is an American fantasy comedy film produced with the intent of establishing the significance of the Ground Day, normally celebrated in 2nd of February predominantly in North America. From the film, it is apparent that this day has some mythical exemplifications. Fundamentally, the Groundhog Day as accentuated in the film is a very important day. The day as defined by those who undertake the aftermath celebrations is important because the Groundhog, which is the primary subject in this mythology, affects weather (Cella 43). During the 2nd of February, each year, the groundhog wakes up and comes out of its den. Based on the mythical believes of the people in United States and Canada who believe on the same. The Groundhog will get back to the den and sleep if he wakes up and find that the weather is sunny. Subsequently, the winter weather will persist for a period of six weeks. On the contrary if it wakes up and finds that the weather is cloudy, there will be no shadow to startle it, and therefore she will wake up. Consequently, the winter weather will recede subsequently causing the spring weather to come early. The above ought to be considered as a modern myth subsequent to it’s a tradition practised in the modern day though rooted to the ancient t believes.
Though the Groundhog Day is predominantly practised in Canada and the United States. It is imperative to note that this practise is interconnected to other practices that have mythological implications practised by other cultures across the world (Cella 51). According to some historical records, the Groundhog Day is related to Imbolc (or St. Brighid's Day). In essence, this establishes the fact that the Groundhog Day is an updated version of the Imbolc Day. The Imbolc day is normally illustrious or rather celebrated in February 1. It is normally celebrated during the 1st of February fundamentally because the Celtics believed that it was time for growing if, the spring overtakes the darkness of the winter. Similar to the Groundhog Day, the Celtics could watch the behaviour of animals particularly the serpents or badgers to establish if the spring would come sooner or not. In addition to the above, the Celtics could undertake pagan rituals referred to as the weather deviation as a way of ushering in the new season. Apparently, it is important to note that the Groundhog Day has some historical implications rooted in the Celtic culture. Because both the Imbolc day and the Groundhog Day entails celebrations in the aftermath that are culturally entrenched.
Additionally, the Groundhog Day is a modern myth because it has some of its original extraction from the German tradition (Cella 45). Based on the cultural records of the Germans regarding the same, Groundhog relates to the Candlemas Day normally celebrated on February 2nd in Germany. During this day, the traditional German farmers could watch the hedgehog an animal indigenous to Germany in a bid to establish whether the spring would arrive sooner or not. This mythological discourse found itself in United States after the German immigrants came to United States and found that the hedgehogs were not present. Subsequently they adapted the tradition of observing the behaviours of animals such as Groundhog. In principle, it is apparent that the modern day Groundhog Day exemplified in the Groundhog Day film has some of its extraction from both the German and the Imbolc traditions.
The Groundhog Day is also a modern myth owing the fact that this day, unlike other ancient myths is passed from one generation to the other using modern technological formats of communications, which include cinema and television broadcasts. Considering that the traditional myths were passed through the word of mouth, the Ground Day is in essence a modern myth.
In a nutshell, the Groundhog Day practised predominantly in North America is a modern myth. Because it has it historical implications rooted in the German and the Celtic cultural traditions as it relates to farming and change of seasons. Additionally, the ground day is a modern day myth owing its means of transmission from one generation to the other. In essence, this mythology is transferred using modern format of communications.
Works Cited
Cella, Clara. Groundhog Day. Mankato, Minn: Capstone Press, 2013. Internet resources .
