NORSE MYTHOLOGY IN M.L. KISER’S “TREE OF LIFE”

Abstract

This research discussed the depiction of Norse mythology and personification in M.L. Kiser’s
“Tree of Life”. The aims of this research were to give a depiction of the Norse mythology
about tree of life and to analyze the personification dealing with mother nature of Norse
mythology in M.L. Kiser’s “Tree of Life”. In finding the data, library research was applied
as the technique of collecting the data. The data consisted of ideas related to Yggdrasil in
norse mythology and personification that were depicted in M.L. Kiser’s poem. The theory of
mythology, Norse mythology, Norse legend of the tree of world, humanity, mother and
personification were applied in this research. Furthermore, the approach that were used
were mythological approach, ideological approach, archetypal approach, structural
approach, and formalist approach. The result of this research was the whole stanza telling
the act of Yggdrasil from the beginning of the world until the world fell into two contradictive
sides. Moreover, it also told the act of Yggdrasil as a mother who took care of her children.
In conclusion, by analyzing this poem, the researcher knows that Yggdrasil as the tree of life
gave life to all over the creatures.