Write with Impact
“Literature proves
there is order in the universe. It says that, in life, moral choices lead to
outcomes. In fiction there is meaning in human events.” James N. Frey
A truth is true or accurate regardless of opinion or debate
or rebellion. A truth is true even when information is missing and we cannot
readily perceive it. Or have not yet reached a maturity to comprehend its
breadth and length and depth and height.
Science, for example, has seen many instances where
discoveries and knowledge have opened up unbelieved vistas. One major universal
fact being that the earth is round, not flat, and that it orbits the sun rather
than being the center of the universe. Talk about a complete upheaval of
perspective!
Although there continues to be ongoing debate over a
“historical” King Arthur, as well as Robin Hood, historians do agree that
legends often have a grain of truth in them. And in contrast, a recent
television series had one character telling another that, “for a con to work there has to be a grain of truth in it.” That
true recipe for telling lies goes all the way back to Satan’s deceit to Eve
over the fruit on the tree.
Mythic characteristics can impact our stories when we tap
into the heart truths they represent. Like a parable, there is a surface story
and also an undercurrent story that produces an emotional tie.
We make ‘copies’ of the original stories and characters and
pass them on through the generations. Some become so familiar that they enter
into everyday language as common metaphors or references, both across languages
and within ethnic cultures, giving us shortcuts. Terrible sea incidents become
tied to Poseidon allusions, or floods. Rainbows are considered a sign of
promise all around the world. Black holes immediately spell danger. So does
Godzilla, regardless of the language being spoken.
James N. Frey points out in his book The Key, that “an astounding
example of the similarity of myths from culture to culture is the myth of the
hero king.”
In A Case For Christ, C. S. Lewis is cited as saying, “... the story of Christ is simply a
true myth: a myth working on us in the same way as others, but with this
tremendous difference that it really happened.”
What meaning do you want your readers to hear in your story?
How might mythic truth help you make that connection?
Share: What
historical or fictional character do you think embodies original hero
attributes?
Read deep,
marcy
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