Norse Mythology

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Who are the “Norse”? When and where did they live? What do you know about their culture?

Teaching Suggestion: Depending on their prior studies, students may be aware that the Norse are associated with Scandinavia but may still be unclear about their time period and how, exactly, they are related to “Vikings.” Some students will have watched movies and television shows about Vikings and know quite a lot about some aspects of Norse culture—but these students may also have a biased understanding because of the focus of most popular media on just a part of Norse culture. After giving students time to explore what they already know, you might offer them one or both of the resources linked below to extend their understanding and ensure that they have accurate information.

• This article from Scandinavia Facts clarifies the relationship between the terms “Norse” and “Viking.”
• This article from World History Encyclopedia offers an overview of Vikings and Norse culture.

2. What do people mean when they call a story a “myth”? What are some of the functions of myth within a culture?

Teaching Suggestion: Students will likely point out that “myth” generally means an old story no longer believed to be the literal truth. You can ask them whether there is a difference between the general meaning of this word and the academic meaning. For instance, a story about Bigfoot is a “myth” in the popular meaning of the term, but not in the academic sense. You might challenge them to explain how the academic understanding of the word relates to culture, history, and religion and ask them how these things shape the typical content of myth.

• This entry from the World History Encyclopedia defines myth and explores its relationship to culture, history, and religion.
• This 4-minute video from Mythology & Fiction Explained compares and contrasts the terms “mythology” and “folklore.”

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

What is your favorite myth that you have encountered in a book, video, comic book, game, or another source? What happens in this story, and what do you find engaging about it? Do you think the format you encountered this story in impacts your enjoyment?

Teaching Suggestion: If you choose to have students answer this question in writing, consider having them share their answers with the class or in small groups. This will broaden their exposure to the variety of traditional myths circulating in contemporary society. You might follow up by asking students to classify the myths they hear about—do they explain basic features of the physical or social world, create a sense of connection to something larger than individual experience, or give advice about how to live a fulfilling life, for instance? As students share what impact format might have on their enjoyment of myth, you might ask them why myth seems particularly well-suited to particular formats and how authors can use these techniques to make their stories more engaging.