Exodus: Examining the Role of Myths and Narratives in Society

This essay delves into the analysis of the Exodus, examining its myths and narratives in comparison to other forms of storytelling like folktales and fables. The author investigates the historical context, focusing on the societal impact and religious significance of the Exodus narrative. The paper explores the differences between myths and other narratives, highlighting how the Exodus narrative, with its focus on the oppression of the Israelites and the role of deities, serves to construct a particular view of society. The author also discusses the importance of the Exodus myths in shaping societal values and identity, referencing the oppression of women and the use of hymns in the text. The analysis considers the work of scholars like Bosman and Lincoln to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Exodus and its place within the broader framework of religious studies and ancient history.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1SOCIOLOGY
In this paper, I will focus on the Exodus chapters from 1 to 14. I will analyze these
chapters and conclude if this text can be called as a myth instead of other narratives. The purpose
of the myths and other narratives like folktales, fables, fairy tales and others have some
differences indeed (Lincoln 2014). The myths are generally considered regarding the Gods and
Goddesses and their various attributes. The conflicts between the Israelites and Egyptians have
been discussed in these chapters of the Exodus.
I would like to say that historians are yet to find out any sort of similarity with the
described events in the book with the original events during that time. It looks like most of those
stories were retrieved from imagination and to glorify all the Gods and Goddesses. The
oppressions on the Egyptians through the forced labor have been the primary purpose of the
myth of Exodus. Other narratives generally focus on the societal challenges (Lincoln 2014). The
construction of the society is generally focused on in these different narratives from the
formative sides.
On the other hand, I also opine that myths are constructed in the unfamiliar fashion.
These can be compared with the slogans of revolution in different contexts. Here the chapters of
Exodus have revealed the oppressive conditions that were imposed on the Egyptians through the
forced labor (Bosman 2014). Though slavery and oppression are crucial matters in the real life
society, the practice of these evil customs are not recorded in the historical matters.
The oppression on women has also been revealed through the mention of the midwives.
The hymns have been discussed in the chapters of Exodus and these myths are very significant
for the people who lived in the ancient times (Bosman 2014). Therefore, the myths are very
important for the construction of familiar matters in society.

2SOCIOLOGY
References
Bosman, H.L., 2014. The Exodus as negotiation of identity and human dignity between memory
and myth. HTS Theological Studies, 70(1), pp.01-06.
Lincoln, B., 2014. Discourse and the construction of society: Comparative studies of myth,
ritual, and classification. Oxford University Press, USA.