Myth and literature

  1. The main characters names in "The Shape of Things" are Adam and Evelyn, suggesting the play is a
    retelling of the original creation myth. Compare the original “Adam and Eve” and characters in the JudeaChristian creation account to Adam and Evelyn. How is The Shape of Things similar or different from the
    traditional Judea-Xian account? (Keep in mind the main difference being art and artistic versus theistic
    creation).
  2. The “garden” is the museum, and roped off sculpture with the fig leaf is, like the tree of good and evil, what
    you’re not supposed to touch. Why does the author present the museum as a creation space? How is the
    sculpture like the tree of good and evil? What happens when they cross the line and touch (or photograph) it?
  3. Compare Evelyn and Pygmalion as creators. How does their gender effect their position in history and
    creation? How do both their creations critique the culture in which they exist? Describe the "changes" to society
    that Evelyn and Pygmalion aspire to in their art.
  4. How much are the creators (Evelyn and Pygmalion) in control of creation and their art work? Where does
    their control break down? What is the difference between creator and creature; or is the creature reducible to
    its creator?
  5. When does Adam assert his own mind, (if at all) or veer towards independence by not relying on the tools to
    achieve superficial beauty that Evelyn imparts?
    Part II. Choose ONE of the essays below write ONE approximately five paragraph essay with a works cited.
  6. Discuss the uses of ancient myths or fairy tales in any of the modern literature, poetry, or short stories we've
    studied. You may use a classical work,such as Oedipus or the other Greek myths and contrast it with a modern
    work. Using outside resources and Hamilton's Mythology, show how a knowledge of mythology can add a
    valuable resource in understanding and enjoying modern literature (poetry , short stories, or novels).
    (use Hamiltons Mythology as primary source and also the story of oedipus and bluebeard)

Sample Solution