1. Pandora’s Box Loo-Wit, the Fire-Keeper Introducing Myth
Greek Myth Retold by Louis Untermeyer
Loo-Wit, the
Fire-Keeper
Native American Myth Retold by Joseph Bruchac
Introducing Myth
with
Literary Analysis: Theme
Reading Strategy: Reading
a Myth
Vocabulary in Context
VIDEO TRAILER

2. Why do we WANT what we don’t have?
INTRODUCING MYTH
Why do we WANT what we don’t have?
She’s in the school chorus, but she wishes she could be in the band.
He has plenty of shoes, but he still wants a pair like his friend has.

3. Why do we WANT what we don’t have?
INTRODUCING MYTH
Why do we WANT what we don’t have?
Why does it seem like we always want what we don’t have?
In the myths you’re about to read, people who aren’t satisfied with what they’ve got make trouble for everyone.

4. Why do we WANT what we don’t have?
INTRODUCING MYTH
Why do we WANT what we don’t have?
DISCUSS
When you want what you don’t have, what problems might that cause?
What, if any, benefits might result?
Discuss these questions with your group.
Try to come up with at least one positive and one negative effect of desiring things that are out of reach.

5. Theme
Writers often share with their readers messages about life or human nature—for example, love may come when you least expect it.
This type of message is called a theme.

6. Theme
Writers can either state a theme directly
or allow readers to figure it out on their own.
To infer the theme of the myths you’re about to read, look at important details or symbols.

7. A sunrise can represent a new beginning (Fever 1793)
Symbolism
Symbol: a person, place, or thing that stands for something beyond itself
For example, an American flag is not just fabric made of stars and stripes; it represents the United States of America.
A sunrise can represent a new beginning
(Fever 1793)
The technique of using symbols in writing is called symbolism

8. What object appears repeatedly or is described more fully than others?
Symbolism
To recognize and interpret a symbol in literature, ask yourself these three questions:
What object appears repeatedly or is described more fully than others?
How do characters react to this object?
What big ideas does the story address, and how might this object relate to them?

9. Reading a Myth
Thousands of years ago, before anyone had a microscope or even books, people explained the world through stories called myths.
Zeus created lightning
Leprechauns made
mischief
Poseidon created storms at sea

10. Reading a Myth
Most myths
were passed along through
word of mouth
feature gods or other supernatural beings who often show such human characteristics as anger or love

11. reveal the consequences of human errors
Reading a Myth
reveal the consequences of
human errors
explain how something
came to be
Icarus flies too close to the sun
Although myths from various cultures share these basic features, they often differ in detail, style, or purpose.