Journal+4

=**__Journal #4: Compare the Iroquois Myth to Other Myths We Read Today__**=

Myths from ancient societies teach the world a lot about ancient cultures. They give great insight into their beliefs and society. Ancient myths help explain why cultures perform their rituals; furthermore, myths provide explanations for the Earth's processes. Many ancient myths comparable to other myths. The ancient Iroquois myth //The World on the Turtle's Back// is comparable to Bible stories.

There is a direct correlation between the woman in the Iroquois myth and Eve in the Bible. The Iroquois myth has a Sky World in which everyone lives, but a woman gets banned from the village for disobeying the rules of the Sky World. In the Bible, the Garden of Eden housed all of the animals of the world, provided nourishment to its inhabitants, and had beautiful scenic surroundings; however, the Garden had one rule. Eventually, Adam and Eve broke the rule; thus, they were banished from the Garden forever. The Garden of Eden represents the Sky World, and Eve represents the banished woman. Adam and Eve were banned for disobeying the Garden's rule which parallels the woman's circumstances in the Iroquois myth. When looking at the Iroquois myth and the story of Adam and Eve, there are many parallels in the two stories.

The two quarrelling brothers in the Iroquois myth resemble Cain and Able from the Bible. The Iroquois myth has a pair of twin brothers who constantly fight with each other. One of the boys is mean and aggressive while the other boy is happy and kind. Eventually, the brothers end up killing each other because of their fighting habits. In the Bible, Cain is constantly jealous of his brother Able, and he is unpleasant and rude. Able is always kind and helpful, but Cain's jealousy grows too strong which causes him to kill Able. The quarrelling brothers in the Iroquois myth are similar to Cain and Able because they both constantly fight with each other and involve death.

//The World on the Turtle's Back// parallels stories in the Bible. Ancient myths contain elements that are similar to other myths. Myths help historians learn about ancient societies and culture. Their religious beliefs are represented in their myths. Myths can teach the world a variety of information ranging from popular culture to historical information.