Catherine Thorne, Period 2, 12/23/22

Literacy & Learning

• Write about your thoughts regarding any of the fiction or nonfiction covered in class
• Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how that learning influences your critical perception.
• How is what you’re learning applied to any other classes/the world around you?

As we read through the book Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, I find myself fascinated by how unique the culture of the Norse was. In most other mythologies, gods are immortal. They usually represent aspects of the world, and while they exhibit some traits of humans, they are still divine. For example, the Greek gods possessed many of the worst features of humans, taken to an extreme. The stories are filled with examples of the petty jealousy of gods and the cruel vengeance they delivered. Despite this, they were clearly still immortal, powerful and undying, always defeating their enemies. Norse mythology, on the other hand, contains stories of gods who can, and will, die. First there are gods like Balder, whose death seems very human. Though he was a god, and the gods believed he would come back to life, he still went to the same hell, Niflheim, that humans went to. Besides him, all the other gods residing in Asgard are predestined to perish at Ragnarok, the end of the world. No other mythology really has that, and it helps humanize the gods, knowing even they won’t escape death. Only the Aztecs had something somewhat similar, with their gods sacrificing themselves to create suns.

Norse mythology has permeated modern culture in no small part thanks to how entertaining the stories are. While this may partially be due to the writing style of the author, Neil Gaiman, there are clear elements of oral storytelling. I can easily imagine how the Norse performed their stories long ago, weaving tales of the Nine Worlds. Today, their influence can be seen in literature like Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, as well as in media like Marvel movies, even if it is extremely inaccurate.

Their stories were so important to the Norse because they reflected the beliefs and cherished values of their society. By telling stories about Valhalla, where the honorable warriors who died in battle would go, it motivated them as they raided and fought. This insight into how their surroundings and lifestyle influenced their mythology can be applied to the beliefs of many societies throughout history. The Greeks, for example, lived in a warmer and more temperate climate than the Norse. Their gods represent the environment they lived in, with many involved in the agriculture that the Greeks depended on. In contrast, the Norse have myths about the cold, including a version of hell that is icy cold and an eternal winter that will start Ragnarok. I can apply this analysis to the world to better understand to what extent people are a product of their environment. Everything from the people surrounding them to their climate helps determine the values most important to someone, an important concept in psychology.

Though the stories of the Norse may be less well known than other myths, like the Greek’s, their unique and entertaining elements make them still relevant. Their gods were interestingly more human, which better fit the needs of a society where fighting and conquering had the highest priority.