Prompt no. 1
King’s two creation stories–the story of Charm, and the Genesis story–each display a drastically different worldview. The first story about Charm highlights different characters who collaborate and cooperate, operating as equals to each other; King tells it from a personal storytellers’ perspective. In contrast, the Genesis story highlights a single, independent will, and a world defined by hierarchical competition; King tells it in an authoritative, impersonal style. What is the purpose of establishing such a clear binary between these two stories, when King (and others) have voiced their critiques of such kinds of thinking?
I think telling these two stories in such a way, and deliberately drawing attention to their opposing characterization, is a way for King to encourage reflection on the part of the listener. Both stories are explanations for the origins of the world, and neither is inherently more believable or credible than the other. However, by presenting them in opposition–as an either/or question–King creates a scenario where the listener will be naturally inclined to favour one over the other. Whether because it is familiar, it aligns with their worldview, or something else, there will likely be some aspect of a person’s life which makes them inclined to listen one way or the other. And, if they are so inclined in this instance, I think the natural progression of this conversation would be to ask where else they are biased: what other stories they hear, or don’t, and why.
Works Cited
Canadian Museum of History. Traditional Stories and Creation Stories, www.historymuseum.ca/history-hall/traditional-and-creation-stories/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2021.
Patrick, Ryan B. Interview with Thomas King. Thomas King is hopeful that his writing has changed the world — but he’s still not sure. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 10 Nov. 2020, www.cbc.ca/books/thomas-king-is-hopeful-that-his-writing-has-changed-the-world-but-he-s-still-not-sure-1.5795015.
