Ashley Ng, period 8, 1/4/22

 Ashley Ng

1/4/22

Modern Mythology 2022

Literacy & Learning:

Write about your thoughts regarding any of the fiction or non-fiction covered in class.

In class, we covered two short stories, "Treasure of the Gods" and "The Master Builder." The two stories provided me with new information about Loki, as at the beginning of the Norse mythology collection, Loki's character was generalized as a sly trickster. Not much information was provided but the connotation was far from positive. The more I read into his character (through the two stories), the more I realized that Loki didn't get as much credit as he should've. Yes, he's a trickster as portrayed in many stories, but that doesn't give much detail into what makes him tick. He isn't only a trickster for the sake of being one. His motivation and core values are given more thought and in turn, that gives the reader a greater understanding of his character. I find it interesting that most portrayals choose to depict him as a negative figure when he's just as multifaceted as the next person. In the two stories, he's done well for the gods (primary examples being the treasures, the wall, and Sleipnir). But he's often misunderstood, leading to Loki not having the best of endings in each story and adding to his resentment. His character reminds me of the quote, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," as it's known that Loki will be on the opposing side of the gods during Ragnarok.

Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how that learning influences your critical perception.

Through the two stories, I learned what stance the Norse gods had on trickery (which reflects on society at the time). It was seen as a tool, or a means to an end. It's a value they're willing to condone but not defend, as it's seen as a necessary evil. And compared to Greek mythology, it's mostly aligned. Hermes, also known as the "divine trickster," has a mischievous side and uses trickery to benefit the gods. Notable examples include stealing Apollo's cattle in return for a lyre and boring Argus to sleep to save Io. However, there's isn't as much denouncement of trickery compared to Norse mythology. Until now, I haven't considered the role that trickery has in literature and how it reflects on society at the time. Now, I'm more aware of its presence in literature, and going forward, I'll keep an eye out for its aspects in different cultures.

How is what you’re learning applied to any other classes/the world around you?

The theme of taking responsibility, just as Loki took responsibility for his actions, is relevant to me today. I'm in the transitionary period in my life, where I'm growing into a young adult and learning to become more independent. Loki's experiences in the Master Builder serve as a reminder of what needs to be done to take responsibility. Additionally, the dramatic irony present in the Master Builder in terms of Sleipnir's origins is a reminder that not everyone has the full picture. The gods certainly didn't, even though some suspected Loki's ties to Sleipnir.