Comparison of Two Creation Myths Genesis and the Seneca Legend (Essay Sample)

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Week 4
Question 1
In Genesis, there are two main creation myths; the creation of heaven and earth, and the creation of Adam and Eve. The Genesis creation myths are similar to the Seneca legend Woman Who Fell from the Sky, as they both show the balance of good and evil, have a sacred Tree, started with a heaven, among others. The two are different on how the world was created, humankind attitude, and man’s authority over animals.
Both the Genesis myth and the Seneca legend believe in the existence of a supreme being or beings. In the Woman Who Fell from the Sky, there is a sacred Tree in the middle of the Sky World, and no one was permitted to touch it. Similarly, in Genesis, there is a sacred Tree of the knowledge of good and evil at the center of Garden of Eden, and neither Eve nor Adam was allowed to touch. In both scenarios, woman corrupts man. In Genesis, Eve (wife) gave Adam (husband) fruit from the forbidden Tree. In the legend, the pregnant woman keeps nagging her husband to get a root from the scared Tree until the husband gives in, although it is against the customs to disturb the Tree. The Genesis tells of two brothers, one good and one evil (Abel and Cain). In the legend, there are twin brothers, good and evil.
One difference between the two is that Genesis talks of one God, but the legend talks of the existence of many gods. The two also differ in the sense that Genesis shows good things in the beginning, no crimes such as murder, for nothing was created yet. Woman Who Fell from the Sky, on the other hand, shows that evil already existed as exhibited by the pregnant woman. The legend shows of animals capable of sustaining themselves, with the man and the animals existing independently. In Genesis, man is in control of the animals, as he is the one who even names them. Finally, the evil wins in the Genesis, by Cain killing Abel, while good wins in the Seneca legend because the good brother defeats the evil one.
The above creation myths indicate that human beings have a relationship with nature. Humans interact with water, air, animals, and plants constantly in many different ways. The Genesis creation myths indicate that God created light, animals, and vegetation's to benefit humans and for humans to look after them. The Seneca legend also indicates that for a man to continue existing, he needs light, vegetation, and animals. Further, humans have to do all their best to preserve the environment, to prevent storms and other calamities.
Question 2
Columbus finds unlikeness in the new world. The trees and fish are unlike those of his old country. Columbus was confused about the new world discoveries. He faced a problem of identification from the new environment. He could not categorize them as either black or white. He found it difficult to name the new lands, as he had no proper old name for them. As he crossed the Caribbean, he wrote that he was sad because he did not recognize the trees or plants he was coming across. Walking among the new trees makes him experience the new world, but old world visions of the new interrupt him. Columbus personal dreams of multigenerational power over the new lands are shattered by betrayal, violence, and deceit. The Columbus story is comparable to Adam’s story where God placed him in a world surrounded by new and unknown creations. Adam’s failure results from betrayal and deceit of his wife, Eve. Similarly, Columbus personal dream fails to come to be due to issues of betrayal and deceit just as it happened to Adam.
Question 3
The narrative of Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson shows a woman who believes that God has a reason as to why she has to go through these sufferings. Additionally, He has control of over the bad things happening to her. Mary Rowlandson’s narrative is comparable to that of Job in the Bible. Job lost his children, and all his wealth, but he kept his faith in God. In her captivity, Mary Rowlandson fee