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The influence of mythology in modern life
Impact of mythology on modern society
Impact of mythology on modern society
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Evidently, myths have become the culprit of traditions. That being said, the contemporary and ancient myths of Santa Claus and Krampus can only be understood by determining the elements that devise their entireties. Both narratives involve elements of opposition, trickery, mythemes, repetition, symbols, and ritualistic processes all of which support the structure of each holiday myth and tradition. Overall, the individual elements facilitate a valid, detailed compare and contrast analysis when examining the myths of Santa Claus and Krampus in a North American culture.
Comparatively, Santa Claus and Krampus have several things in common. First, they both appear on the same morning, December 25 and, are accompanied by a fleet of helpers, that
being, reindeer and the clones of Krampus who, “travel in packs” (Wilson, 2009). Second, their myths are repeatedly celebrated around the world and are given immense attention from those who believe. Third, they both deliver something during the holidays such as gifts, threats, or coal which depend on a person’s behavior. Fourth, they both have multiple names depending on the culture. For example, Santa Claus is referred to as, “Piere Noel in France; Babbo Natale in Italy, Weinachtsmann in Germany” (Federer, 2002:39) while Krampus is known as, “… Bartel. Gumphinkel. Knecht Ruprecht” throughout Austria (Chase, 2002). Lastly, both myths were created in central Europe.
Dr. Seuss's original fable is a simple story told with a great moral that criticizes the commercialization of Christmas. The original story features an “Ebenezer Scrooge” type creature that lives up the mountains outside "Whoville." The Grinch indulges himself in the annual ritual of spoiling everyone's festivities with a series of nasty pranks. This particular year however he plans to sabotage the holiday season by dressing as Santa Claus, clim...
It’s already Christmas time, and Christmas is due in less than a week, and everyone is excited. Hallmark started playing all of those Christmas movies that usually include a “hero”, sometimes being a range of things; A fireman, cop, and etc. But not everyone enjoys this time of year, although a lot of people do. There are two popular individual who come to mind, both of which are from famous stories. The main protagonists in Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol and Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Ebenezer Scrooge and The Grinch are those two people. These characters hate Christmas with a passion, and are both horrible people, but there is a catch, which one of this Christmas Meanies are the worst of their bunch? Everyone has taken their sides by now, but The Grinch is one of the meanest of them all.
During the holidays we all have specific experienced certain situations that would only happen in such a hectic time. As the holidays pass, we look back and laugh at how ridiculous those times can be. David Sedaris shows this from his perspective when he applied to be an elf and Macys one holiday season and showed us what society looked like from inside an elf costume. Elf, although not a real story, is a movie about a human who thinks he is an elf who meets his dad and experiences extreme culture shock as he goes to New York for the first time. In this essay, I will be comparing these similarities between these two stories and what types of comedy are found in each.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a story we are all familiar with, it captures a moment in time of blatant prejudices and inequality that spanned years from when it was written in 1939 to when it was released as a movie in 1964. However endearing the story may be, it is a testament to what conditions were socially accepted as normal during that time period. Originally written by Montgomery Ward to sell appliances, this story has an explicit lens of bigotry, inequality, and the importance of conforming to society.
A Christmas Carol. Classics of Children's Literature. Ed. John W. Griffith and Charles H. Frey. 3rd ed.
How do we know when or how to change ourselves as people? Sometimes, we all need a shove from something or someone to help us better ourselves. The most dominant factors are kindness, fear, and regret. These three things can make us willing to go through the hassle and hard work of breaking out of a habit, whether it be putting your feet on the couch, or your attitude.
Few people can confidently say why the United States celebrates Christmas on December 25. And I imagine even fewer people know why we give gifts, or why we pucker up when we find ourselves under some mistletoe. The answers to these questions are under a thick layer of rich human and mythological history. For me, the majority of these discoveries were absolutely shocking—Christ was never in Christmas.
Christmas has consumed itself. At its conception, it was a fine idea, and I imagine that at one point its execution worked very much as it was intended to. These days, however, its meaning has been perverted; its true purpose ignored and replaced with a purpose imagined by those who merely go through the motions, without actually knowing why they do so.
Patterson, Nancy-Lou. "Always Winter and Never Christmas: Symbols of Time in Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia." Mythlore 18.1 (Autumn 1991): 10-14. Rpt. in Children's Literature Review. Ed. Tom Burns. Vol. 109. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 24 Jan. 2012.
Christmas, a federal holiday since the year 1870; The name “Christmas” derives from Old English Christes maesse, meaning “Christ’s mass.” It has been my favorite holiday since before I can remember. I love the delicious food, the various presents under the tree, and of course, spending time with my family. The holiday celebrations at the Rogers house meant more when the majority of us were still young. Now, we are older, and all have to work, Christmas is the only holiday we get to spend together. Much like, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, she writes about a tradition that she wants to continue, just like I wish to continue a lifelong Christmas tradition.
Through extensive research and quoted material, this paper will display how the legend of Santa Claus has grown and developed through history to become a modern day icon of the Christmas holiday season.
krampus was made because of rusty chains and switches that need to bring the pain (9 facts about Krampus St. Nick's Demonic Companion). Santa needed someone to bring the pain. If they were bad instead of coal it would be a rusty chain. It would be a good way if the parents child was naughty to become nice. Krampus would put them in a sack and fix them (9 Facts About Krampus, St. Nick's Demonic Companion). It was made to be scary but then it had became illegal but you can still celebrate krampusnacht (9 Facts About Krampus, St. Nick's Demonic
They followed this sign to Bethlehem, where they arrived to honor Christ's birth. In fact, the "12 Days of Christmas," which is so often believed to end on December 25, actually begins on the 25th and runs through January 6, culminating with the Feast of Epiphany.Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, is one of the most important holidays on the Puerto Rican calendar. Traditionally, the island, and most of the Latin world, marked the eve of January 6 as the day to exchange presents rather than December 25. Kids would also gather grass, hay or straw in shoe-boxes for the Magi's horses or camels -- a charming alternative to cookies and milk for Santa.The Kings, or Wise Men, certainly present a more spiritual and faithful representation of the birth of Christ than a once-obscure saint who came to be known as Santa Claus and who was squeezed into his signature red suit by the Coca-Cola
First, on December 6th, children leave out a boot or shoe on their front step. During the day and into the night, Santa, also known as Sankt Nikolaus, comes around with Krampus. They are checking which kids will get presents and which ones will get punished. If they are good there boot or shoe will be full of candy. And if they are bad Krampus will punish them.
Dutch children would put shoes by the fireplace for St. Nicholas or "Sinter Klaas" and leave food out for his horse. He'd gallop on his horse between the rooftops and drop candy down the chimneys into the children's shoes. Meanwhile, his assistant, Black Peter, was the one who popped down the chimneys to leave gifts behind. Dutch settlers brought the legend of Sinter Klaas to North America -- where we came to know him as Santa Claus. Clement Clarke Moore first described the “jolly old elf” with his sleigh drawn by reindeer, in the poem "The Night Before Christmas.