LIT 229 Mapping Myth in Film Essays Guidelines and Rubric Overview This activity is designed to assess your ability to identify themes, symbols, and motifs that are common to myths within the American cultural context. You should watch your film and take notes.  But do not attempt to complete your mapping questions until you receive your Module content in Module Five.  You will select one of the films listed below as the focus of your “essays”: For more information about viewing feedback for TurnItIn assignments, please review this tutorial. The Wizard of Oz, directed by Victor Fleming The Fountain, directed by Daniel Aronofsky Star Wars, directed by George Lucas Blood Diamond, directed by Edward Zwick The Truman Show, directed by Peter Weir The Lord of the Rings, directed by Peter Jackson The Piano, directed by Jane Campion Ondine, directed by Neil Jordan Water, directed by Deepa Mehta Cloud Atlas, directed by Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski Smoke Signals , directed by Chris Eyre Zero Dark Thirty, directed by Kathryn Bigelow Elizabeth, directed by Shekhar Kapur If you would like to map a film not listed here, you may do so upon instructor approval. In this paper you will fully address all five of the following mapping question prompts about your selected film: 1. Comprehension: List the details of the film: title, director, writer, year, actors/characters, genre, and plot summary. Feel free to use IMDB.com to obtain this information, but the plot summary should be in your own words. Example: Title: The Fisher King Director: Terry Gilliam Writer: Richard LaGravenese Year: 1991 Stars: Jeff Bridges (Jack Lucas), Robin Williams (Parry) Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy Plot Summary: A former radio DJ, suicidally despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim of that mistake. 2. Identify: Myth(s)/mythological material: Explain what myth(s) or mythological material the film contains in terms of their mythological name and function. Example: In The Fisher King, there are several key characters that fulfill various roles. Parry’s character assumes the roles of “the Fool,” the “Knight Errant” and the “Helper.” Jack’s character is clearly “the Fisher King,” and Lydia is “the Virgin.” The character of Anne functions as “the Goddess.” 3. Assess: Briefly list several predominant symbols and their meaning Example: There are several predominant symbols or motifs. The cup is equivalent to “the grail.” As stated previously, Lydia is “the virgin.” The “marionette” serves as Jack’s false self, one of the “bungled and the botched.” The fire functions as the “king’s wound.” The Red Knight represents Parry’s psychic wound and shadow. The video store serves as a repository of “mythic fragments.” 4. Categorize: Briefly list predominant allusion(s) to other myths or mythic material Example: In this film there are several allusions. Specifically, we see an ...

1. LIT 229 Mapping Myth in Film Essays Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
This activity is designed to assess your ability to identify
themes, symbols, and motifs that are common to myths within
the American cultural context. You should watch your film and
take notes. But do not attempt to complete your mapping
questions until you receive your Module content in Module
Five. You will select one of the films listed below as the focus
of your “essays”:
For more information about viewing feedback for TurnItIn
assignments, please review this tutorial.
The Wizard of Oz, directed by Victor Fleming
The Fountain, directed by Daniel Aronofsky
Star Wars, directed by George Lucas
Blood Diamond, directed by Edward Zwick
The Truman Show, directed by Peter Weir
The Lord of the Rings, directed by Peter Jackson
The Piano, directed by Jane Campion
Ondine, directed by Neil Jordan
Water, directed by Deepa Mehta
Cloud Atlas, directed by Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, and
Lana Wachowski
Smoke Signals , directed by Chris Eyre
Zero Dark Thirty, directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Elizabeth, directed by Shekhar Kapur
If you would like to map a film not listed here, you may do so
upon instructor approval.
In this paper you will fully address all five of the following
mapping question prompts about your selected film:

2. 1. Comprehension: List the details of the film: title, director,
writer, year, actors/characters, genre, and plot summary. Feel
free to use IMDB.com to obtain this information, but the plot
summary should be in your own words.
Example:
Title: The Fisher King
Director: Terry Gilliam
Writer: Richard LaGravenese
Year: 1991
Stars: Jeff Bridges (Jack Lucas), Robin Williams (Parry)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Plot Summary: A former radio DJ, suicidally despondent
because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in
helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim
of that mistake.
2. Identify: Myth(s)/mythological material: Explain what
myth(s) or mythological material the film contains in terms of
their mythological name and function.
Example: In The Fisher King, there are several key characters
that fulfill various roles. Parry’s character assumes the roles of
“the Fool,” the “Knight Errant” and the “Helper.” Jack’s
character is clearly “the Fisher King,” and Lydia is “the
Virgin.” The character of Anne functions as “the Goddess.”
3. Assess: Briefly list several predominant symbols and their
meaning

3. Example: There are several predominant symbols or motifs. The
cup is equivalent to “the grail.” As stated previously, Lydia is
“the virgin.” The “marionette” serves as Jack’s false self, one of
the “bungled and the botched.” The fire functions as the “king’s
wound.” The Red Knight represents Parry’s psychic wound and
shadow. The video store serves as a repository of “mythic
fragments.”
4. Categorize: Briefly list predominant allusion(s) to other
myths or mythic material
Example: In this film there are several allusions. Specifically,
we see an allusion to The Wizard of Oz in the fire scene. Jack’s
use of the Nietzsche quotation is a direct allusion, of course.
Less obvious, perhaps, is the allusion to Michelangelo’s The
Pietà in the hospital scene where Jack is holding the wounded
man.
5. Summarize: Briefly summarize the mythological meaning of
the film
Example: Like the grail in the Fisher King myth, the film
demonstrates that the sacred is always present. Unfortunately,
our perception of it is often lacking. Whether it is the virgin
Lydia whom Parry is too fearful to approach, the strange man
Lydia is too fearful to love, the love that Jack takes for granted
in Anne, or the friendship that emerges between Jack and Parry,
the missing element is perception brought about by loss. Yet
perception is gained anew after the heroic journey.
Format
Each essay response must be approximately two to five
sentences with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman
font, and 1-inch margins. Any necessary citations must use
MLA format; refer to your Course Resources area for citation
resources and tools.

4. Rubric
The response to these questions will be scored using the critical
elements below:
Critical Elements
Exemplary
Proficient
Needs Improvement
Not Evident
Value
Comprehension
Accurately provides overview of the film with all necessary
details
(9-10)
Accurately provides overview of the film with most necessary
details
(8)
Mostly accurate overview of the film with most necessary
details
(7)
Does not accurately provide overview of the texts with
necessary details
(0-6)
10
Identification
Accurately explains applicable myths and mythological material
in the film in terms of its mythological names and functions
(18-20)
Accurately explains applicable myths and mythological material
in the film and applies most mythological names and functions
(16-17)
Mostly accurate explanation of applicable myths and
mythological material in the film; applies most mythological

5. names and functions
(14-15)
Does not accurately explain most applicable myths and
mythological material in the film and/or apply appropriate
mythological names and functions
(0-13)
20
Assessment
Accurately explains predominant symbols and their meaning
with full details
(18-20)
Accurately explains predominant symbols and their meaning
with some details
(16-17)
Identifies predominant symbols, but meaning could be clearer
with additional details
(14-15)
Does not accurately identify predominant symbols or offer
details to provide clarity on meaning
(0-13)
20
Categorization
Accurately explains predominant allusion(s) to other myths or
mythic materials with full details
(18-20)
Accurately explains predominant allusion(s) to other myths or
mythic materials with some details
(16-17)
Explains predominant allusion(s) to other myths or mythic
materials with some details
(14-15)
Does not explain most predominant symbols or ascribe
appropriate meaning and context
(0-13)

6. 20
Summary
Offers insightful and original interpretation on the mythological
meaning of the film in a concise fashion with ample supporting
evidence
(18-20)
Offers original interpretation on the mythological meaning of
the film with some supporting evidence
(16-17)
Offers basic interpretation but with little or no supporting
evidence
(14-15)
Does not offer basic interpretation that addresses mythological
meaning of the film or supporting evidence
(0-13)
20
Writing
Mechanics
No errors related to grammar, organization, format, and citation
style
(9-10)
Errors of grammar, organization, format, and citation style are
marginal
(8)
Errors of grammar, format, organization, and citation style are
limited enough that the response can be understood
(7)
Errors of grammar, format, organization and citation style make
the response difficult to understand

7. (0-6)
10
Earned Total
Comments:
100%
LIT 229 Mapping Myth in Film Essays Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
This activity is designed to assess your ability to identify
themes, symbols, and motifs that are common to myths within
the American cultural context. You should watch your film and
take notes. But do not attempt to complete your mapping
questions until you receive your Module content in Module
Five. You will select one of the films listed below as the focus
of your “essays”:
For more information about viewing feedback for TurnItIn
assignments, please review this tutorial.
The Wizard of Oz, directed by Victor Fleming
The Fountain, directed by Daniel Aronofsky
Star Wars, directed by George Lucas
Blood Diamond, directed by Edward Zwick
The Truman Show, directed by Peter Weir
The Lord of the Rings, directed by Peter Jackson
The Piano, directed by Jane Campion
Ondine, directed by Neil Jordan
Water, directed by Deepa Mehta
Cloud Atlas, directed by Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, and
Lana Wachowski
Smoke Signals , directed by Chris Eyre
Zero Dark Thirty, directed by Kathryn Bigelow

8. Elizabeth, directed by Shekhar Kapur
If you would like to map a film not listed here, you may do so
upon instructor approval.
In this paper you will fully address all five of the following
mapping question prompts about your selected film:
1. Comprehension: List the details of the film: title, director,
writer, year, actors/characters, genre, and plot summary. Feel
free to use IMDB.com to obtain this information, but the plot
summary should be in your own words.
Example:
Title: The Fisher King
Director: Terry Gilliam
Writer: Richard LaGravenese
Year: 1991
Stars: Jeff Bridges (Jack Lucas), Robin Williams (Parry)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Plot Summary: A former radio DJ, suicidally despondent
because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in
helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim
of that mistake.
2. Identify: Myth(s)/mythological material: Explain what
myth(s) or mythological material the film contains in terms of
their mythological name and function.
Example: In The Fisher King, there are several key characters
that fulfill various roles. Parry’s character assumes the roles of

9. “the Fool,” the “Knight Errant” and the “Helper.” Jack’s
character is clearly “the Fisher King,” and Lydia is “the
Virgin.” The character of Anne functions as “the Goddess.”
3. Assess: Briefly list several predominant symbols and their
meaning
Example: There are several predominant symbols or motifs. The
cup is equivalent to “the grail.” As stated previously, Lydia is
“the virgin.” The “marionette” serves as Jack’s false self, one of
the “bungled and the botched.” The fire functions as the “king’s
wound.” The Red Knight represents Parry’s psychic wound and
shadow. The video store serves as a repository of “mythic
fragments.”
4. Categorize: Briefly list predominant allusion(s) to other
myths or mythic material
Example: In this film there are several allusions. Specifically,
we see an allusion to The Wizard of Oz in the fire scene. Jack’s
use of the Nietzsche quotation is a direct allusion, of course.
Less obvious, perhaps, is the allusion to Michelangelo’s The
Pietà in the hospital scene where Jack is holding the wounded
man.
5. Summarize: Briefly summarize the mythological meaning of
the film
Example: Like the grail in the Fisher King myth, the film
demonstrates that the sacred is always present. Unfortunately,
our perception of it is often lacking. Whether it is the virgin
Lydia whom Parry is too fearful to approach, the strange man
Lydia is too fearful to love, the love that Jack takes for granted
in Anne, or the friendship that emerges between Jack and Parry,
the missing element is perception brought about by loss. Yet
perception is gained anew after the heroic journey.
Format

10. Each essay response must be approximately two to five
sentences with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman
font, and 1-inch margins. Any necessary citations must use
MLA format; refer to your Course Resources area for citation
resources and tools.
Rubric
The response to these questions will be scored using the critical
elements below:
Critical Elements
Exemplary
Proficient
Needs Improvement
Not Evident
Value
Comprehension
Accurately provides overview of the film with all necessary
details
(9-10)
Accurately provides overview of the film with most necessary
details
(8)
Mostly accurate overview of the film with most necessary
details
(7)
Does not accurately provide overview of the texts with
necessary details
(0-6)
10
Identification
Accurately explains applicable myths and mythological material
in the film in terms of its mythological names and functions
(18-20)

11. Accurately explains applicable myths and mythological material
in the film and applies most mythological names and functions
(16-17)
Mostly accurate explanation of applicable myths and
mythological material in the film; applies most mythological
names and functions
(14-15)
Does not accurately explain most applicable myths and
mythological material in the film and/or apply appropriate
mythological names and functions
(0-13)
20
Assessment
Accurately explains predominant symbols and their meaning
with full details
(18-20)
Accurately explains predominant symbols and their meaning
with some details
(16-17)
Identifies predominant symbols, but meaning could be clearer
with additional details
(14-15)
Does not accurately identify predominant symbols or offer
details to provide clarity on meaning
(0-13)
20
Categorization
Accurately explains predominant allusion(s) to other myths or
mythic materials with full details
(18-20)
Accurately explains predominant allusion(s) to other myths or
mythic materials with some details
(16-17)

12. Explains predominant allusion(s) to other myths or mythic
materials with some details
(14-15)
Does not explain most predominant symbols or ascribe
appropriate meaning and context
(0-13)
20
Summary
Offers insightful and original interpretation on the mythological
meaning of the film in a concise fashion with ample supporting
evidence
(18-20)
Offers original interpretation on the mythological meaning of
the film with some supporting evidence
(16-17)
Offers basic interpretation but with little or no supporting
evidence
(14-15)
Does not offer basic interpretation that addresses mythological
meaning of the film or supporting evidence
(0-13)
20
Writing
Mechanics
No errors related to grammar, organization, format, and citation
style
(9-10)
Errors of grammar, organization, format, and citation style are
marginal
(8)

13. Errors of grammar, format, organization, and citation style are
limited enough that the response can be understood
(7)
Errors of grammar, format, organization and citation style make
the response difficult to understand
(0-6)
10
Earned Total
Comments:
100%