Myth : a very short introduction

Bibliographic Information

Myth : a very short introduction

Robert A. Segal

(Very short introductions, 111)

Oxford University Press, 2004

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 143-158) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

This book is not about myths, but about approaches to myth, from all of the major disciplines, including science, religion, philosophy, literature, and psychology. The fate of the preternaturally beautiful Adonis is one of the main fables upon which Segal focuses, in an attempt to analyse the various different theories of myth. Where the theory does not work, he substitutes another myth, showing that, for all their claims to all-inclusiveness, certain theories, in fact, only apply to specific kinds of myths. A uniform set of questions is provided, to elucidate both the strengths and the weaknesses of the conjectures. A survey of the past 300 years of theorizing on myth, this book takes into account the work of such prominent thinkers as Albert Camus, Claude Levi-Strauss, Roland Barthes, C. G. Jung, and Sigmund Freud. Finally, Segal considers the future study of myth, and the possible function of myth in the world as the adult equivalent of play. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Myth and Science
  • Myth and Religion
  • Myth and Philosophy
  • Myth and Literature
  • Myth and Society
  • Myth and Structure
  • Myth and the Mind
  • Conclusion

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Details

  • NCID
    BA68222970
  • ISBN
    • 9780192803474
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Oxford
  • Pages/Volumes
    163 p.
  • Size
    18 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
  • Parent Bibliography ID
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