The only complete world mythology textbook available, Introduction to Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths, Second Edition, integrates original texts with explanations, interpretations, theory, and numerous pedagogical aids to introduce students to a wide range of myths from various critical perspectives. Featuring texts from sources around the world, it includes readings from Greek and Roman classics (by Homer, Hesiod, Ovid, and other writers); Nordic mythology (by Snorri Sturluson); Hindu culture (The Ramayana); Chinese mythology (N Kwa; new to this edition) and from such ancient works as The Epic of Gilgamesh, the Bible, and the Mesopotamian story of Enuma Elish (new to this edition). Selections from Native-American sources and folktales and stories from Africa, Germany, and the United States are also included. In addition, authors Eva Thury and Margaret Devinney draw comparisons between classical myths and such contemporary cultural phenomena as The X Files, Star Trek, Mother Goose, and, new to this edition, Harry Potter, Stagecoach, and Firefly. They also incorporate readings by Carl Jung, Claude Levi-Strauss, Victor Turner, and other scholars who consider mythic material from different analytical perspectives. Finally, traditional works by writers like John Milton and John Keats as well as those by contemporary authors like Anne Sexton, John Updike, Angela Carter, and James Joyce are presented as examples of literary texts with mythological roots. Introduction to Mythology uses an innovative pedagogical structure to help students unravel the complex web of literary allusions often found in mythological texts: Extensive marginal notes provide cross-references and explanations of terms and culture-specific concepts A glossary of deities and suggested readings for each chapter offer students additional resources An improved and refined art program features more than 200 illustrations, photographs, and maps An illustrated timeline places the readings in relation to each other and to historical and cultural events and artifacts A Student's Website contains chapter objectives and summaries, key terms, study questions, self-tests, and off-site links of interest An Instructor's Manual includes key terms, pedagogical suggestions, study questions and projects, and sample objective test questions for each chapter
This text is interesting in that it reads more like an anthology than a textbook. It is mostly composed of selections from the sourcetexts of the various myths, and when the authors do write their own material about the selections and such, their chapters feel more like news articles. This causes reading the book to feel more like reading a book for enjoyment than for being taught. I think this is a very positive thing, since the book feels less pedagogue-ish and yet is still quite informative. The only thing I see missing is family trees of the divine lineages, which would be most useful for studying Norse mythology, to use the most prominent example. I also found it unfortunate that the sections on Norse Myth use Sturluson's Prose Edda for the source text rather than the Poetic Edda, the more legitimate source. Apparently they did this to show how mythic texts rationalize their contents. In Sturluson's case, he decided to claim that the ancient Icelandic people simply forgot the Christian faith over time, even though the Germanic religion was practiced all over northern Europe for centuries before Christianity ever existed. Gotta love that medieval scholarship.
Wonderfully written
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
I may be biased having had Dr. Devinney for a Prof a few times in the past, but this book is so well organized and clear that I recommend it to anyone. I was espically impressed with the structure!
Very pleased
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Book arrived in very good condition. Description of item was accurate. Will do business with them again.
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