Analysis of "Origin of the Seasons"
Sean A, Alexa K, and Dahlia B, 4/26/16, Period 3
Summary:
In the myth of "Origin of the Seasons," retold by Olivia Coolidge, Persephone was a spring-maiden who admired to gather flowers. One day, she found a significant flower and went to grab it. However, she was taken to the underworld by a hand (Hades) and became trapped. Her mom, Demeter, looked for her everywhere! Later, Hermes, the messenger, told Demeter to go to Hades temple. There, she found her daughter Persephone. Persephone told her mom that she ate seven pomegranate seeds which meant she had to stay with Hades for seven months as a queen, and she may live with her family for the other five months.
Function/Purpose of the Myth
The function of this myth was to convey how the seasons came to be. Also, it showed how our twelve months differentiates. In the story, seven months were to be spent in the underworld by Persephone. The seven months showed the frigid, dark, chilling sensation our months give to us. For the other five months, they are to be spent with her own family. These five months represent the warm, enjoying, delightful condition our months bring. This myth brought our conclusion that it allows us to see the uniqueness about each time spent in a year.
Analysis:
Key Character:
The key character in the "Origin of the Seasons" is Persephone, a spring maiden. Persephone is a very curious and adventurous girl that can sometimes lead to mishaps. Her actions reflects back to the story by showing how one may be present to conflict through the lightest touch. For example, she went to pick a flower, but the underworld opened up beneath her and took her in. It symbolizes and exhibits how one may be ruled through see being innocent.
Setting:
The setting is a very key part of the story because it enforces the mood with detail. It changes from being warm, bright, and had an overall joyful mood to a dark, scary, deep emotional feeling. It allows the reader to see the distinct characteristics one may have and it exhibits the key character and helps show her actions.
Conflict:
The conflict in this myth is "Man vs. Legend" because an innocent girl, Persephone, must be held by a legend, Hades. She must eat a pomegranate to be released, however she was tricked to staying for 7 months. The conflict can be seen through the detail the key character and the setting displays through it's actions.