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Mythology in Our Midst A Guide to Cultural References
(Click to Enlarge)
Amy T. Peterson, David J. Dunworth
Illustrations by David J. Dunworth
Book Code: GR2192
ISBN: 0-313-32192-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-313-32192-4
256 pages, drawings
Greenwood Press
Publication: 5/30/2004
List Price: $60.95 (UK Sterling Price: £34.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Trim Size: 7 x 10
Subjects: Reviews:
  • [F]or high school or lower-division undergraduate students, and for libraries that want comprehensive coverage of mythology.
    —Choice     December 2004
Description: Though nearly everyone is familiar with the great mythological figures such as Hercules, Icarus and Medusa, readers may wonder what relevance these ancient tales hold for them. This unique reference book brings mythology to life for students by exploring the connections between ancient myths and contemporary culture. The delightful introductory essay sets the tone, with its overview of the myriad areas of human endeavors that have been influenced by mythology including the arts, science, psychology, language and literature, consumer products and other aspects of popular culture. The user-friendly volume is comprised of 50 narrative essays, that offer a lively retelling of the myth, and then trace the cultural connections. Readers will discover, for example, the fascinating derivation of Freudian psychoanalysis from the myth of Oedipus. Fans of popular film and fiction may be surprised to learn the mythological inspiration for works like Beauty and the Beast, The Matrix, or Michael Crichton's Eaters of the Dead. This engrossing book is enhanced with 25 original illustrations. Five fact-filled appendices offer glossaries and interesting mythological etymologies of commonplace words in nature, science, and everyday consumer products like Nike shoes and Olympus cameras. Whether for research or pure enjoyment, this accessible and informative book reveals the many unrecognized references to mythology that impact our lives.
Table of Contents:
  • List of Illustrations
  • Introduction
  • Adam and Eve
  • Aphrodite
  • Artemis and Actaeon
  • Balder's Death
  • Bellerophon
  • Beowulf
  • The Birth of Hercules
  • The Creation of the World
  • Cronus and His Offspring
  • Cuchulain
  • Cupid and Psyche
  • Deucalion
  • Dionysus
  • Echo and Narcissus
  • Excalibur
  • Furies
  • Galahad and the Holy Grail
  • Giants Trick Thor
  • Gilgamesh and Enkidu
  • The Greek Division of the World
  • Hercules
  • Icarus and Daedalus
  • Jason and the Argonauts
  • Lancelot
  • Leprechauns
  • Loki's Children
  • Loki's Gift to Odin
  • Man the Animal
  • Medusa
  • Merlin
  • Midas
  • Minotaur
  • Muses
  • Odysseus
  • Oedipus
  • Orpheus
  • Pan
  • Pandora
  • Persephone and Hades
  • Prometheus
  • Pygmalion
  • Pyramus and Thisbe
  • Ragnarok
  • Romulus and Remus
  • Sibling Rivalry
  • Sisyphus
  • Tantalus
  • Trickster
  • Trojan War
  • World Tree
  • Appendix A: Mythology in Nature
  • Appendix B: Mythology in Brand Names
  • Appendix C: Mythology in the Solar System
  • Appendix D: Mythology in the Calendar
  • Appendix E: Mythology in Common Words
  • Bibliography
  • Index
LC Card Number: 2004040433
LCC Class: BL689
Dewey Class: 201
PDF Catalogs:
Folklore and Folklife 2007.pdf
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