Summative Assessment Q4 (Jesline)

According to Merriam-Webster, mythology usually is a traditional story of historical events that serves to unfold part of the
world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. Mythology is created to reflect the cultures of each
country, on that account, how does the writer portray the value and relevance of mythology from ancient time as well as to the
present? Mythology which will be analyzed is The Origins of the Chinese Zodiac with fiction genre. This mythology was published in
2015 by Ryan Landes-Gilman. Originally, mythology is available from children up to adults, especially for those who are questioning
how ancient people explain the origins of social or natural phenomena. Considering the origin of the creation of mythology, it is used
to inform or explain historical events by delivering a rationale reason on how a certain thing is the way it is in ancient times.
Moreover, as viewed through the perspective at the present time, it is recently considered to entertain people as it provides the readers
with supernatural powers, imaginary places and characters. Mythology portrays significant connections among cultures and beliefs
that illustrate common values through certain elements such as theme and stylistic devices in order of highlighting the atmosphere of a
story by letting readers build a conclusion and imagination.
Theme refers to the center or specific message of a written story. Writers typically let the readers analyze and reflect the story,
it allows the readers to develop a greater understanding. Furthermore, the theme is used for revealing the belief systems, values, and
practices of a particular country in ancient times. Themes that the writer used in a story, such as heroism, as demonstrated by the
contribution of dragon to assist the villagers from blaze of fire. It is shown through the excerpt “Exalted Jade Emperor ~ on my way I
saw several villagers that were in trouble. A fire had ignited amidst their crops and they had been surrounded in a circle of blaze.”
(Landes-Gilman, 2015, para. 10). On the other hand, from the dragon’s attitude, it is shown a sacrifice. It is expressed on how the
dragon chose to help the villagers and let his spot in the Zodiac to be taken by other animals.
Along with the theme, writers are as well used stylistic devices as the primary elements needed in a story. Stylistic devices are
used in order to emphasize and develop an emotional response of the readers through the excerpt. In this mythology, the writer utilized
personification, as it is shown through the excerpt “The Cat let out a piercing hiss directed at the Rat, but by then, it was too late, and
the Ox, with the Rat atop, was already too far ahead of the Cat.” (Landes-Gilman, 2015, para. 2). The phase “piercing hiss”
demonstrates how the animal is able to do something as human characters do. It is used by the writer in an attempt to construct a
description of non-human characters more vividly. In addition, imagery is used in this mythology which is shown through the excerpt
“As worry overtook the Rabbit, the Rabbit hastened his motions, pulling back hurriedly on his strong hind legs.” (Landes-Gilman,
2015, para. 5). Through the excerpt, it is expressed as a movement in order to generate a graphic presentation of a scene that happened
in the story.
 In brief, theme and stylistic devices are the most essential elements needed for writers in influencing and informing the readers
about the belief systems and practices that happened in ancient times. By analyzing this mythology, apart from providing explanation
about origins of life, natural phenomena or supernatural events, mythology as well uses to preserve the traditions of ancient people to
new generations.
References:
• Alliance, T. P. (n.d.). Pachamama Alliance's blog: Ryan Landes-Gilman. Pachamama Alliance's Blog | Ryan Landes-Gilman.
Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://blog.pachamama.org/author/ryan-landes-gilman
• Author's craft. Author's Craft - Literary Devices - Personification. (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2022, from
http://udleditions.cast.org/craft_ld_personification.html#:~:text=Personification%20connects%20readers%20with%20the,emotionally
%20to%20non%2Dhuman%20characters.
• The importance of imagery in literature. (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://www.ipl.org/essay/The-Importance-Of-
Imagery-In-Literature-P3KJ69NPCED6
• Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Myth definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myth
• Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, April 20). Rhetorical device. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetorical_device