When the world ends: A comparative analysis of destruction myths

ABSTRACT: Some of the earliest human writing grapples with essential questions of time and death: What does it mean? How does it happen? Why? These eschatological questions are addressed in destruction myths, narratives driven by large-scale destruction of the physical world. This comparative study examines destruction myths in order to define the literary function of destruction as a genre of mythology, and consider the relevance these ancient myths have in the modern day. This project investigates this question through a dual approach of close reading and comparative interpretation of four destruction myths: the Bible’s Revelation, Norse Ragnarok, Hindu Naimittika Pralaya, and the Aztec Five Suns. Using the literary frameworks given by modern genre theory, which posits that narratives are changeable, interpretable, and reflective of cultural anxieties, needs, and values, this study identifies three main conclusions: (1) The literary role of destruction is primarily soteriological. Rather than fatalistic apocalypticism, destruction acts as a form of renewal and signaling of future hope. (2) As a genre of mythology, destruction is defined additionally by its tensions between reality and fantasy, salvation and immortality, and human and otherworldly forces. (3) These texts point to universal aspirations towards faith, perseverance, mercy, and justice, and societal fears of moral and political corruption, divine judgement, and nonbeing. Collectively, these findings illustrate the role of destruction in mythology, not as a form of literature removed from reality, but as a reflection of the societal framing which underpins historical and modern day politics, social structures, and ideological narratives.