On the most basic level, what is a myth?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To tackle the question, start by clarifying what 'myth' commonly means in the most basic sense.
Option 1: 'A collection of subjects dealing with the supernatural.' While myths often involve supernatural elements, this description is too narrow and lists 'subjects' rather than the core form or function of a myth. It implies a topic category rather than the narrative vehicle myths typically take.
Option 2: 'A story.' This aligns with the fundamental idea that a myth is a traditional narrative or tale, often handed down across generations, which conveys meanings, values, or explanations about human experiences or the world. It emphasizes the form (story) rather than broader content categories, making this a fitting basic definition.
Option 3: 'A religious ideology made manifest in narrative form.' Although many myths are linked to religious belief and have moral or cosmological purposes, this option overstates the link by suggesting every myth is a religious ideology. Myths can appear in secular, cultural, or moral contexts as well, so this option is too restrictive as a universal definition.
So, when evaluating the definitions, the first option expands into a domain (supernatural subjects) rather than the archetypal function or structure of a myth. The second option identifies the essential medium—story—without prescribing content or doctrinal ownership. The third option assigns a singular purpose and origin to myths that does not hold across all cases, since myths can exist outside organized religious frameworks. As a result, the second choice most accurately captures the most basic level of what a myth is: a story that carries meaning within a culture or tradition.

202520-HUM-2310-20722 Chapter One Reading Quiz

On the most basic level, what is a myth?

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