As its title suggests, a creation myth is the lavish story that lays the groundwork for the life of an epic figure, as manifest through history. The creation myth commonly establishes a trend that becomes commonplace for the subject throughout his or her life, a trend that is based upon and rooted in a quality of difference that this subject holds or is formed from a unique moment, thus making him or her truly different from mere mortals. The value of the creation myth is inherent within the later qualities of that person's life, without which an audience would have no interest in learning how and why this subject was created. In many cases, the creation myth is a tool to help justify why a subject has become engrained in the narrative of a culture's lore. The more fantastical the creation story, the more interest can be garnered from the outset. A good story is the key to a good mythological creature.
Here, the creation stories of Pandora and of Adam from the Bible will be compared and contrasted. Their great similarities lie in the purpose of their creation. This drives the actions taken by external sources who combine qualities to create both individuals. From a background perspective, the two stories are different. They hold within their structure a common thread of an impetus for creation, a threat to or challenge that must be overcome by what is created and then an eventual resolution. In both cases, there is an attempt by the resolution to explain and to justify why certain actions were taken. There is also a condemnation of the supporting characters in these myths, which helps the reader to learn that no character is isolated and that the behavior of one affects the behavior of all. The smaller variances between these stories have to do with setting, specifics, chronology and historical background.
[...] Just as with Pandora, the creation of man is one of the most important creation because it begins the relationship between man and woman. Both Adam and Pandora are dependent upon others to be created, they do not exist simply for their own purpose. They are both reflection of other people and they are both components of a larger plan. Common themes are repeated across many of these myths, giving these stories a sense of uniformity in structure. The specifics of the time and place wherein these stories are set are usually left ambiguous. [...]
[...] Whereas the creation myths of Greek origin are often created as interlinking parts of larger stories, are connected and are used as justification for why the world exists as it does, the Biblical creation myths are less logically ordered. Biblical creation stories can be taken from different time periods and linked together merely as different versions (Thury and Devinney, 50). Thus, the form of these creation myths, regardless of their actual subjects, differes from one another. Still, their purpose remains similar. [...]
[...] From a general perspective, therefore, these serve a similar purpose as the Greek creation myths. All are written to provide justification. Adam, created in the reflection of “LORD [sic] God said, the man has become like one of us, knowing and evil” (Thury and Devinney, 56). He is given traits, clothing and temptation; all things that God believed he he would need to begin the human race. While Pandora is only lavished with gifts, the sentiment is similar among both of these stories. [...]
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