Big Fish Documentary
Shannon McGee
Shanon Lawson
Hum 115
11 December, 2014
Big Myths Throughout human history there has always been significance behind the ritual of storytelling. Parents tell their children stories, leaders tell their followers stories, and it has always just been accepted as a part of life. The question I often ask myself is why are these story’s told, why not just tell the truth? The (2003) movie Big Fish directed by Tim Burton, helped me put reason behind the mythological story telling that has always been. In my eyes the film takes a different approach to myth than most would consider; which is the significance of myth to the individual. Too often myth is viewed as simply a cultural asset, however when viewed more closely myth has a way of …show more content…
Through his stories Edward facilitates his own hero’s journey; from the tale of his birth, through his labors, all the way to the seemingly impossible monsters he battles; similar to the Greek hero myth of Herakles. Herakles story is told in the book Myths of the ancient Greeks by Richard P. Martin. When Herakles turns 18 a cattle rancher in another town needs someone to come and protect his cows, along that journey Herakles becomes enraged and sparks up a war, later “volunteering his self into exile” after losing his mind, in order to protect the village from his strength. While in exile he is sent on a 12 year journey through treacherous terrain and 12 dangerous beasts to try and obtain immorality (Martin 153). At the end of his journey Herakles dies a hero due to his labors and self-sacrifice. Just as Herakles, Edwards’s hero’s journey begins with leaving home on a mission and along the way finding his self while creating an unforgettable reputation. Through the film he helps a lot of people along the way, much like a hero he fought hard battles and danced with death. If we were to really sit back and analyze Edwards’s journey vs Herakles’s journey there is not much of a difference in the meaning of the stories. The only major difference between the two is that their journeys did not entail the exact same things as they were unique to the individual. The myth of Herakles is a very familiar, well known myth meaning that whoever Herakles actually was is still talked about today. I feel as though a good heroic story is always appreciated by anyone, including Edward in this case. He uses his heroes journey in an attempt to help his son to never lose sight of his
Shanon Lawson
Hum 115
11 December, 2014
Big Myths Throughout human history there has always been significance behind the ritual of storytelling. Parents tell their children stories, leaders tell their followers stories, and it has always just been accepted as a part of life. The question I often ask myself is why are these story’s told, why not just tell the truth? The (2003) movie Big Fish directed by Tim Burton, helped me put reason behind the mythological story telling that has always been. In my eyes the film takes a different approach to myth than most would consider; which is the significance of myth to the individual. Too often myth is viewed as simply a cultural asset, however when viewed more closely myth has a way of …show more content…
Through his stories Edward facilitates his own hero’s journey; from the tale of his birth, through his labors, all the way to the seemingly impossible monsters he battles; similar to the Greek hero myth of Herakles. Herakles story is told in the book Myths of the ancient Greeks by Richard P. Martin. When Herakles turns 18 a cattle rancher in another town needs someone to come and protect his cows, along that journey Herakles becomes enraged and sparks up a war, later “volunteering his self into exile” after losing his mind, in order to protect the village from his strength. While in exile he is sent on a 12 year journey through treacherous terrain and 12 dangerous beasts to try and obtain immorality (Martin 153). At the end of his journey Herakles dies a hero due to his labors and self-sacrifice. Just as Herakles, Edwards’s hero’s journey begins with leaving home on a mission and along the way finding his self while creating an unforgettable reputation. Through the film he helps a lot of people along the way, much like a hero he fought hard battles and danced with death. If we were to really sit back and analyze Edwards’s journey vs Herakles’s journey there is not much of a difference in the meaning of the stories. The only major difference between the two is that their journeys did not entail the exact same things as they were unique to the individual. The myth of Herakles is a very familiar, well known myth meaning that whoever Herakles actually was is still talked about today. I feel as though a good heroic story is always appreciated by anyone, including Edward in this case. He uses his heroes journey in an attempt to help his son to never lose sight of his