MYTHIC APPROACH
Alena Menšíková

WHAT IS MYTH?

Myth is: • a symbolic narration • a story attempting to provide explanation about some mysteries of human existence

Myth by lévi-strauss
• Anthropological and diachronic approach • Universal age-old motives that are realised differently according to the culture • Myths create humans • Myth is a base of legitimacy

Myth by Barthes
• Semiotic and synchronic approach • Mytology is produced by today´s capitalistic society • Synonym for IDEOLOGY • Myths are created from positions of power • Legitimacy of myths is called NATURALIZATION

Myth by barthes

Gengre analysis
Identification of: • Mythic themes • Cultural myths • A historical period • Mystical places • Idealized times • Cultural beliefs

Mythic themes
• • • Theme is an abstract concept or observation that is manifested through the action of the plot • Some genres are particularly well suited for particular mythic themes • • •

Quiz shows

Themes: • Greed • Free will vs. fate • Good fortune

The gangster genre
Themes: • The conflict good X evil, egocentric satisfaction X societal restraints • The price of loyalty and betrayal appearance X reality • The hubris of human greatness/power • The limits of narcissism and greed • Temptation X control

EXample
Good Evil

The horror genre
Themes: • Good and evil • Appearance/reality • The vanity of human greatness/power • Moral decay • The influence of the past on the present • The loss of control

Cultural myth
A Historical Period Mystical Places

Cultural myth
Idealized Times Cultural Beliefes

Intre-genre analysis
Mythic elements

• Mythic hero • Mythic theme • Mythic premise
•

Example: American dream