Reading Notes From Adam and Eve, Part B

 Reading Notes: Adam and Eve, Part B

A dark cave. Very much like the one Adam and Eve could've been banished to, except less light. (Source: Tysmiha on Pixabay) 

-God created the garden of Eden on the third day of creation 

-there are clear distinctions of the garden's borders and what is on each side 

-"God created the sea of His own good pleasure.."

-"Lest the transgression they had committed.." repeated often 

-Cave of Treasures- Where God made Adam and Eve dwell after having to leave the garden

-"similitude"?- semblance or image 

-"One would come and save him and his seed..." (a reference to the Messiah?)

- covenant- an agreement, usually formal, between two or more people to do or not do something 

-"Strengthen thy heart, therefore, and abide in the Cave of Treasures."

-Adam's comparison of the Cave of Treasures to the Garden of Eden is very dramatic and descriptive

-"he wept and smote heavily upon his breast" Adam and Eve consistently committed suicide because of their sorrow 

-Eve pleads with God very poetically to restore Adam and bring him back to life. 

-The word "transgressed" is used many times in all parts of the story

-thou, thee, thy, and other language like it used is the main form of the language, most like the Old King James Version of the Bible

-God continued to raise Adam and Eve back to life after they committed suicide

-The still continued to drink from the water from the Tree of Life

-Adam repeats "O Eve!" very often when lamenting his sorrows about how he misses the garden

-When night falls, Adam and Eve are both very afraid of what the darkness could mean. God tells Adam that he created the day for Adam and his seed to work and the night for the beast and man to rest. 

-Every time that God stopped talking to Adam the story says "And God ceased to commune with Adam. 

-The serpent is just as was described right after having received punishment. The description sounds like a cobra when coming after Eve. 

-The serpent was swept up by the wind and taken to India. 

-"merciful God, good and lover of men...."

-"He smelt the sweet savour of their offering, and showed them mercy."

-They built an altar to God and made a burnt offering of the blood they had shed during their attempted suicides. 

Story Source

The Forgotten Books of Eden, edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926).

Reading Notes: Adam and Eve, Part A

 Adam and Eve Notes

Adam and Eve eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Source:Jeffjacobs1990 on Pixabay )

- Read Genesis in the ESV translation

- I like how the story starts with "In the Beginning.."

-In the Genesis parts, there is a clear timeline, followed with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh days. 

- Uses very good descriptions

- Repetition is present by calling things good and very good

- "each according to its kind"

-"greater light and lesser light"

-"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." 

-"have dominion over"

-God rested on 7th day

-"a mist was going up from the land"

-Eden

-directions, specific timelines

-names are important and a lot of times have meanings with them in the text

-Woman- taken from man

-serpent was more crafty- uses convincing language with Eve

- "Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day"

-Eve-mother of all living

-Adam was "fully and completed developed" when he was created 

-Adam possessed "extraordinary size and physical perfection"

-the word "see" repeated in different forms

-soul referred to as "her"

-Adam- created out of Adamah, dust of the earth 

-Adam a prophet

-Adam "aroused the envy of the angels"

-"God flung Satan and his host out of heaven."

-"Give adoration to the image of God!"

-marriage- used to make a difference between God and man

-"Ineffable Name"

-Lilith was made in the same way as Adam

-Lilith refused to submit to Adam

-Eve was made from Adam's body while he was asleep

-Lilith demon children

-Lilith preys on infant children, must put token on child of 3 angels who caught her 

-God when creating Eve- "Be chaste!"

-"for God longs for the prayers of the pious"

-"He who lusts after what is not his due, not only does he not attain his desire, but also loses what he has!"

-Sanhedrin of 71 angels

Bibliography

Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg (1990) : Volume 1

English Standard Version Bible (2016) : Genesis 1-2

Feedback Thoughts

 This assignment we were to pick 2 different articles dealing with the subject of feedback and how we deal with it. The two I chose were "Why rejection hurts so much- and what to do about it," and "Silence the Critical Voices in Your Head." The first article was very helpful to me, I have always struggled with accepting rejection in a healthy manner. I enjoyed reading the tips that the author gave in the article for combatting the negative effects of rejection. In the second article I like the one-to-five-ratio that the author describes to silence the critical voices we deal with everyday. As I have gotten older as a student I can deal with rejection a bit better. But I still find myself every time I get a grade back on something that has feedback on it, skipping over the positive and going straight to what I did wrong. My worse times receiving feedback has been when a teacher in class tells me in front of other students. I feel like I always focus on the negatives when that happens, even when there is not much negative feedback. My best times I have had feedback is when I get positive feedback, negative feedback, and then positive feedback again. This helps "sandwich" the feedback so I don't get it all at once.   This gives a boost of self-confidence for me and gives me the negative feedback in smaller pieces so that I don't focus on too much at one time and feel overwhelmed. 

 Rejected Stamp

(Source: Pixabay )

Topic Brainstorm

 My Chosen Topics

Astrology and Star Mythology

My first pick is the astrology myths and stories. I really enjoy looking at astrology signs and reading about the stars. I think it would be cool to write about a few of my favorite signs. Maybe doing a couple of profiles based on some signs would be a good idea. I also enjoy the stories in mythology about stars and about how each culture explains the different constellations. If I choose this route, I would probably put a  more modern retelling on it to give me a bit more freedom to play with the stories a bit. 

Research Link(s):

- Astrology - Wikipedia

- zodiac | Symbols, Dates, Facts, & Signs | Britannica

- The stars and their stories; a book for young people : Griffiths, Mary Matlock, comp : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Greek Mythology 

My second idea is to do something based off of classical Greek mythology. I am not sure if I want to do just the gods and goddesses or other stories, yet. But again, I like the idea of retelling in a more modern setting. I also like the idea of putting special twists into each story I choose and then connecting them all together, so that there is an overarching theme or point. I think this would be a good opportunity for me to learn even more about one of my favorite types of mythology. 

Research Link(s):

- THEOI GREEK MYTHOLOGY - Exploring Mythology in Classical Literature & Art 

Mermaids

I really like the diea of doing a storybook project on mermaids. One of my favorite fairytales is The Little Mermaid and all the creative ways its been retold over the years. I wouldn't mind maybe retelling it in my own way. I also think it may be interesting to do something for the different mermaids throughout different cultures. Maybe choosing 4 different cultures and looking at their myths over mermaids and retelling them or telling it from the mermaids' points of view. 

Research Link(s):

- Mermaid - Wikipedia

- The little mermaid and other stories (ufl.edu) 

King Arthur

My idea for this topic was to maybe put a twist in the story. Maybe giving King Arthur a son or daughter and giving  some of the other characters children and working through that within the traditional story. I think it will be very interesting to research more into this topic. I know some of the stories, but not all of the stories of King Arthur. I also would maybe like to look at the stories from different character points of view. 

Research Link(s):

- Mythology and Folklore UN-Textbook: Unit: King Arthur (mythfolklore.blogspot.com)

- King Arthur | Story & History | Britannica

The zodiac signs on a dial 

(Source Pixabay )

Week 2 Story: The Perfect Guy

 

 

 Silhouette of lovers against a starry sky (Source:  Pixabay )

 

 Katie was completely over it. High school was hard enough without all the jock guys being rude to you, just because you were intelligent and possessed a working brain in your head, unlike those bimbos on the cheer squad. She stared at her reflection as she wiped the tears away and replaced her glasses in the girls' bathroom during lunch. Why did I ever think he would be different? This always happens to me. Katie sighed internally, while remembering the last few months, after Jason Clark came to their school. He was a transfer from an out of state high school and plenty of talent on the football field. But that day in biology class when he became her partner, he showed a completely different personality to the typical brainless chauvinistic jock she knew permeated the halls of Southview High School. They had talked about books, music, and art. He seemed so, so...genuine... She shook her head. "It was stupid of me to think that any guy would actually like me for me. Well, that's it. I'm done with guys here. Actually I'm done with guys and men forever. They are all pigs. I'm not wasting one more tear over any of them."

The next day was Friday and Katie was brainstorming what she was going to do for her science fair project. She was the only student picked out in the school to participate in the science fair, because of her high grades and intelligence.The science fair was next month and held a great first prize for the winner. It was a full ride scholarship to one of the best and most technologically advanced universities in the country. It was so important that she win, so that she could leave this town full of men who were jerks and who had broke her heart. As she tried to come up with an idea, she brooded over what had happened the day before. If only there was someway to create the perfect guy for me...yeah right, that would be a miracle. She snorted and shook her head at herself. But there more she thought of it the more it might seem possible. "Hmmm...maybe if I use the hologram program from last year? But instead of scenes, I can maybe calibrate it to project a human." She stated to herself thoughtfully as she wrote down her thoughts and notes. She then hurried home to start on her project.

Katie worked on the holographic program and machine all through the month. Her broken heart and humiliation from the jock guys at school seemed to drive her motivation to really create the most perfect guy a girl could ever wish for in holographic form. After calibrating the machine to project people,  she started on her design. He had the handsomest, kindest facial features she could contrive. She used special algorithms and theories of beauty to design his face and body. She then researched the latest trends and designed the best clothes she could find. She was so determined to make the guy perfect, she pulled away from her friends and did just enough to get by in her studies at school. Her whole life revolved around her creation. She slowly found herself developing feelings for the holographic guy she had created. She imagined she had conversations with him over science, art, music, and books. She wondered out loud to him what it would be like to go on dates with him or to even kiss him. 

Soon, the day of the science fair came. Katie excitedly set up her project and the hologram machine. When she turned it on, her perfect guy appeared and it instantly calmed her nerves. She talked to him until the judges came around and asked her to explain the project to them. She hurriedly told them all she had done and demonstrated how the machine worked for them. They awarded her first place. She was so excited, but one thought was on her heart. The only thing that would make this day completely perfect is if you were real and i could actually touch you. She thought as she smiled sadly to her hologram man and started to pack everything up.  

That night at home, Katie was laying outside on a blanket looking at a sky full of stars, while the hologram machine and holographic man were beside her. Suddenly she said, " Oh there's a shooting start! Make a wish!" She exclaimed to the hologram, while she quickly and tightly shut her eyes and wished with all her heart for a guy like her hologram. When she was done she smiled at her own silliness. "Wishes on shooting stars aren't real. That's for kids. Well, it's fun to still pretend though," She said as she smiled to herself and the hologram. 

What she did not know, was in the Heavens, the gods were holding court and talking about her. The goddess of love was pleading her case for Katie's wish. "It's just so romantic! You all must let me grant this one, please!" She said with glistening tears in her eyes and such beauty that it moved the King of the Heavens. "You may," He stated regally. She immediately granted the wish and watched to see how Katie would react.

Katie was just starting to pick up her blanket when as sudden light flash and temporary blinded her. "W-What's going on?" She asked fearfully. "No need to fear child, your heart's wish has been granted," said a melodious voice coming from above. Katie turned and saw that the machine had disappeared and in its place stood a man. This man was the same she had painstakingly created a hologram of. She cautiously touched his face to prove he was real. "You ARE real! I can't believe it!" She exclaimed in happiness. He smiled and kissed her just like he did in her dreams. 

Story Source: Ovid's Metamorphoses, Translated by Tony Kline (2000). 

Author's Note:

So I chose to retell the story of Pygmalion. I chose this story because I love Greek Mythology and I am a romantic. In my version, Pygmalion has been gender-swapped and changed into a teenage girl in high school named Katie. She gets her heart broke by a bunch of guys and has the familiar high school drama. But, because she is a very intelligent student, she sets off to create the "perfect guy." I really wanted to give it a female's point of view. It seems like all to often we get a male's point of view in Greek mythology and I thought it would be fun to change it up. Thanks for reading! 

Reading Notes: Week 2 Anthology

 Reading Notes For "Pygmalion" 

- Full of beautiful sentencing, phrases like:

•  "offended by the failings that nature gave the female heart"
•  "He marvels: and passion, for this bodily image, consumes his heart"
• " heifers, their curved horns gilded, fell, to the blow on their snowy neck"

- It's very descriptive in wording. Gives a clear picture of the clothes and object that the main character buys for the statue he falls in love with. 

- The writer described the goddess Aphrodite as "Golden Venus" 

- "Ivory Girl"

-The setting of a remote island is interesting for a story of magic and metamorphosis, a lot of strange magic can happen on an island

 - Mordern Day Cyprus actually apart of Turkey in the Republic of Cyprus

-"the daughters of Propoetus spending their lives in wickedness"

Link for info:

https://mythontheweb.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/the-daughters-of-propoetus/

• refused to acknowledge Aphrodite and her divinity
• the goddess punished them by turning them into prostitutes and ruining their virtue

This leads Pygmalion to be horrified and create "perfect woman" 

-Story is a reinforcement of what the role of a woman was back in ancient Greece and to show them as general "wicked" characters...genderbend for a different perspective  

-Add more info of Venus' involvement with the couple

-Child named "Paphos" and island named after him 

-Different from the other myths and folklore I read because sounds like a novel

Bibliography 

Story Source: Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated by Tony Kline (2000).

 http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/04/ovids-metamorphoses-pygmalion.html

 

 

 Image Information: Pygmalion priant Vénus d'animer sa statue by Jean-Baptiste Regnault.

 

Week 2 Reading Overview

Choose from CLASSICAL and/or BIBLICAL units for Weeks 3 and 4.

Week 3: Adam and Eve

Week 4: Jewish Fairy Tales

Choose from MIDDLE EASTERN and/or INDIAN units for Weeks 5 and 6.

Week 5: Ancient Egypt

Week 6: Sinbad 

Choose from ASIAN and/or AFRICAN units for Weeks 7 and 9. [Week 8 is review week.]

Week 7: Japanese Mythology

Week 9: Brer Rabbit 

Choose from NATIVE AMERICAN units for Weeks 10 and 11.

Week 10: Cherokee

Week 11: Marriage Tales

Choose from BRITISH and/or CELTIC units for Weeks 12 and 13.

Week 12: Celtic Tales 

Week 13: Faerie Queene

Choose from EUROPEAN units for Weeks 14 and 15.

Week 14: Grimm (LibriVox)

Week 15: Jacobs

Nun Raises The Sun. I've always though old Egyptian writings looked really cool.

(Source: Egyptian mythology - Wikipedia)

Comments:

I am really excited for the whole semester. Each unit has something I'm looking forward too. I'm looking forward to looking into more Jewish folklore. Since I am a Christian, and enjoy reading the Bible, it will be interesting to look at some of the folklore stories and the Adam and Eve unit. For the next unit I picked Ancient Egypt. I'm a fan of Rick Riordan's books, but haven't read his Egyptian series yet, because I don't know as much about Egyptian mythology. So, I think it will be interesting to learn about. I also picked Sinbad, because I like adventure tales and it sound really interesting. The next unit I picked Japanese Mythology and Brer Rabbit. I am looking forward to both of these units. In the Native American unit, the marriage tales sound like they will be different from other folklore I've read before. Also, I took a Native American music class and read some stories from that class. It will be interesting to make connections since story-telling and music both are a huge part of Native American culture. The last two I'm really excited for are Faerie Queene and Jacobs stories. I love heroine stories like the Faerie Queene seems to be. One of my favorite young adult authors, Tamora Pierce, has a book series called The Lioness that is based on a young woman masquerading as a knight, as well. So it should be really entertaining for me. Also, as I mentioned in earlier posts, I'm a huge twisted fairytales fan. I'm sure I will love Jacobs rendition of fairytales, as well. One type of folklore I would like to learn about is the Gullah people of South Carolina. When I visited I saw a rich culture that I didn't get to spend enough time observing or learning from. But, all in all I am ready for this class!