EXAMPLE : `Enuma Elish' the Babylonian Creation story (written before 2000 B.C.)
(Powell, eighth edition (2014), Chapter 4, pp. 98-101.)
(a) A Structuralist Point-of-view (bipolar opposites):
one vs. many
rest vs. activity
undifferentiated vs. personalized
old gods vs. young gods
suspension in water (plasma) vs. sedimentation (precipitation)
(b) Points being made by the story:
(1) The war between young and old is part of the structure of the universe.
(2) Heaven is organized into a `Council of the Gods'.
(3) The gods agree to select/appoint/install a King of the Gods.
(4) King = warrior, leader, lawmaker, judge. Elected, but his authority is absolute (like the Pope).
(5) Kingship comes down from heaven. It is good by definition.
(6) Models for society existed before human society existed.
(7) Myth as ritual: Story was recited (dramatised?) annually, on 4th day of the 10-day New Year Festival. The Universe was magically recreated and repowered each September by these rites.
(8) Myth as politics: Do not disobey the King: do not question structures of society.
