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# A Thoughtful Examination of Karen Armstrong's "A Short History of Myth"
Author: Dr. Eleanor Vance, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Oxford. Dr. Vance has published extensively on comparative mythology and the history of religious thought, including works on ancient Near Eastern religions and the impact of myth on modern society. Her expertise provides a strong foundation for a critical analysis of Karen Armstrong's work.
Keyword: A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong
Introduction:
Karen Armstrong's "A Short History of Myth" offers a compelling, albeit challenging, exploration of the role of myth across diverse cultures and throughout history. This examination delves into the book's strengths and weaknesses, considering its arguments, insights, and impact within the field of religious studies. By analyzing its approach, we can better understand both the enduring power of myth and the complexities of interpreting its significance across time and diverse belief systems. This analysis will consider the book within its publishing context, acknowledging the reputation of both the publisher and editor, to provide a complete picture of its reception and influence.
Primary Arguments and Insights of "A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong"
Armstrong's central argument in "A Short History of Myth" revolves around the assertion that myths are not merely fanciful tales or primitive attempts at explaining the world. Instead, she positions them as powerful tools for understanding human experience, social structures, and the relationship between humanity and the divine. The book challenges the simplistic dichotomy between "myth" as falsehood and "fact" as truth, highlighting the rich symbolic and metaphorical language employed in myth-making.
A key insight provided by "A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong" is the exploration of the evolving understanding of myth across different historical periods. Armstrong traces the shift from viewing myths as literal accounts of historical events to recognizing their symbolic and metaphorical significance. This nuanced approach allows her to analyze myths from various cultures, including those of ancient Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Abrahamic traditions, without imposing a single interpretive framework.
Further, Armstrong emphasizes the crucial role of myth in shaping social structures and moral values. Myths often serve as foundational narratives for societies, providing explanations for origins, establishing social hierarchies, and reinforcing ethical codes. Her analysis reveals how myths function as instruments of social control, but also as sources of inspiration and spiritual guidance. The book subtly argues that the dismissal of myth in modern secular societies has led to a loss of vital cultural and spiritual resources.
Challenges and Opportunities Presented by "A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong"
While Armstrong's work is groundbreaking in its inclusivity and nuanced approach, it's not without its challenges. Critics might point to the breadth of the subject matter as a potential weakness. Attempting to cover such a vast topic in a "short history" necessitates simplification, potentially overlooking significant details or complexities within specific mythological traditions. The risk of oversimplification is inherent in any work aiming for broad accessibility.
Another potential criticism lies in Armstrong's approach to interpretation. While her emphasis on the symbolic nature of myth is valuable, some might argue that her interpretations are occasionally subjective or lack sufficient engagement with contemporary scholarly debates within specific fields of mythology. However, this can also be seen as an opportunity for further scholarly engagement and critical discussion.
The book's accessibility, though a strength for a wider audience, might also be viewed as a challenge for those seeking in-depth analysis of individual mythologies. Readers seeking specialized knowledge on a particular mythological system would need to supplement "A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong" with more focused scholarly works.
Publisher and Editor
"A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong" was published by Knopf, a renowned imprint of Penguin Random House. Knopf has a long-standing reputation for publishing high-quality works of non-fiction, including significant contributions to religious studies and history. Their association with Armstrong's work lends credibility and broad reach to her arguments.
While the editor's name isn't explicitly listed on all editions, the editorial oversight of a major publishing house like Knopf assures a level of professional editing and fact-checking that enhances the book's reliability. The expertise of the Knopf editorial team in handling works of religious studies further strengthens the book's overall academic standing.
Conclusion
"A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong" remains a significant contribution to the understanding of myth's enduring influence on human culture and spirituality. Despite potential criticisms regarding simplification and subjective interpretations, the book's accessibility, broad scope, and insightful exploration of myth's symbolic power make it a valuable resource for both students and general readers interested in exploring the multifaceted nature of mythology. The book serves as a compelling starting point for deeper explorations within specific mythological systems and encourages critical reflection on the role of myth in shaping both past and present societies. The challenges presented by its ambitious scope are ultimately outweighed by its significant contribution to a wider understanding and appreciation of mythology's enduring relevance.
FAQs
1. What is the central thesis of "A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong"? The book argues that myths are not simply false narratives but powerful tools for understanding human experience, social structures, and the relationship between humanity and the divine.
2. What are the main mythological traditions covered in the book? Armstrong covers a wide range, including ancient Greek, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Abrahamic traditions.
3. How does Armstrong challenge traditional views on myth? She challenges the simplistic view of myth as mere falsehood, emphasizing its symbolic and metaphorical power.
4. What is the significance of myth according to Armstrong? Armstrong highlights myth's role in shaping social structures, moral values, and providing spiritual guidance.
5. Who is the intended audience for "A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong"? The book is accessible to a broad audience, including students, scholars, and general readers interested in mythology.
6. What are some potential criticisms of the book? Some critics might point to potential oversimplification due to the book's scope and potentially subjective interpretations.
7. How does the book contribute to the field of religious studies? It promotes a more nuanced understanding of myth's role in various religious and cultural traditions.
8. What is the overall tone and style of the book? The book is generally accessible and engaging, written in a clear and informative style.
9. Where can I find more information on specific myths mentioned in the book? The book serves as an excellent introduction; further research into specific mythologies is recommended for in-depth study.
Related Articles
1. "Myth and Ritual: A Comparative Study": An in-depth exploration of the relationship between myth and ritual across various cultures, offering a comparative framework for analyzing Armstrong's arguments.
2. "The Symbolic Language of Myth": A detailed examination of the symbolic and metaphorical language employed in myths, expanding upon concepts discussed in Armstrong's work.
3. "A Feminist Perspective on Myth": An analysis of mythological narratives through a feminist lens, challenging traditional interpretations and highlighting gender dynamics.
4. "The Psychology of Myth": An exploration of the psychological functions of myths, examining their role in shaping individual and collective identity.
5. "Myth and the Modern World": A discussion of the relevance of myth in contemporary society, addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by a secularized worldview.
6. "Comparative Mythology: A Critical Introduction": A broad overview of the field of comparative mythology, providing a theoretical context for understanding Armstrong's approach.
7. "The History of Religious Symbolism": A comprehensive exploration of the use of symbols in religious traditions, connecting to Armstrong's analysis of the symbolic power of myths.
8. "Myth and Narrative in Ancient Greece": A detailed study of Greek mythology, providing a deeper understanding of one of the traditions discussed by Armstrong.
9. "The Evolution of Mythological Thinking": An examination of how mythological thought has evolved over time, tracing changes in interpretation and understanding.
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong, 2008-10-30 As long as we have been human, we have been mythmakers. In A Short History of Myth, Karen Armstrong holds up the mirror of mythology to show us the history of ourselves, and embarks on a journey that begins at a Neanderthal graveside and ends buried in the heart of the modern novel. Surprising, powerful and profound, A Short History of Myth examines the world's most ancient art form - the making and telling of stories - and why we still need it. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: A Short History of Myth (Myths series) Karen Armstrong, 2010-10-29 What are myths? How have they evolved? And why do we still so desperately need them? A history of myth is a history of humanity, Karen Armstrong argues in this insightful and eloquent book: our stories and beliefs, our curiosity and attempts to understand the world, link us to our ancestors and each other. This is a brilliant and thought-provoking introduction to myth in the broadest sense–from Palaeolithic times to the “Great Western Transformation” of the last 500 years–and why we dismiss it only at our peril. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong, 2005 October marks the beginning of an exciting new series of books which will revisit and rewrite classic myths. With contributions from Margaret Atwood and Jeanette Winterson following in November, the series is launched with Karen Armstrong's compelling investigation into myth; what it is, how it has evolved, and why we still so desperately need it. Armstrong's characteristically insightful and eloquent book serves as a brilliantly thought-provoking introduction to myth in the broadest sense. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: A History of God Karen Armstrong, 2004 A study of the deity of the world's three dominant monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In a dynamic interplay between religion and society's ever-changing beliefs, values, and traditions, human beings' ideas about God have been transformed. Ideas about God have been molded to apply to the spiritual needs of the people who worship him in a particular place and time. The author explores and analyzes the development and progression of the various perceptions of God from the days of Abraham to present times--Adapted from book jacket. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Weight Jeanette Winterson, 2005 Myths Are Universal And Timeless Stories That Reflect And Shape Our Lives They Explore Our Desires, Our Fears, Our Longings, And Provide Narratives That Remind Us What It Means To Be Human. The Myths Series Brings Together Some Of The World S Finest Writers, Each Of Whom Has Retold A Myth In A Contemporary And Memorable Way. Authors In The Series Include: Chinua Achebe, Margaret Atwood, Karen Armstrong, A.S. Byatt, David Grossman, Milton Hatoum, Victor Pelevin, Donna Tartt, Su Tong And Jeanette Winterson. The Free Man Never Thinks Of Escape In Ancient Greek Mythology Atlas, A Member Of The Original Race Of Gods Called Titans, Leads A Rebellion Against The New Deities, The Olympians. For This He Incurs Divine Wrath: The Victorious Olympians Force Atlas, Guardian Of The Garden Of Hesperides And Its Golden Apples Of Life, To Bear The Weight Of The Earth And The Heavens For Eternity. When The Hero Heracles, As One Of His Famous Twelve Labours, Is Tasked With Stealing These Apples He Seeks Out Atlas, Offering To Shoulder The World Temporarily If The Titan Will Bring Him The Fruit. Knowing That Heracles Is The Only Person With The Strength To Take His Burden, And Enticed By The Prospect Of Even A Short-Lived Freedom, Atlas Agrees And An Uneasy Partnership Is Born. With Her Typical Wit And Verve, Jeanette Winterson Brings Atlas Into The Twenty-First Century. Simultaneously, She Asks Her Own Difficult Questions About The Nature Of Choice And Coercion, And How We Forge Our Own Destiny. Visionary And Inventive, Yet Completely Believable And Relevant To Our Lives Today, Winterson S Skill In Turning The Familiar On Its Head And Showing Us A Different Truth Is Once More Put To Dazzling Effect. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Ragnarok A.S. Byatt, 2011-08-06 As the bombs rain down in the Second World War, one young girl is evacuated to the English countryside. Struggling to make sense of her new wartime life, she is given a copy of a book of ancient Norse myths and her inner and outer worlds are transformed. Linguistically stunning and imaginatively abundant, Byatt’s mesmerising tale - inspired by the myth of Ragnarok - is a landmark piece of storytelling from one of the world's truly great writers. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Fields of Blood Karen Armstrong, 2014-10-28 A sweeping exploration of religion and the history of human violence—from the New York Times bestselling author of The History of God • “Elegant and powerful.... Both erudite and accurate, dazzling in its breadth of knowledge and historical detail.” —The Washington Post In these times of rising geopolitical chaos, the need for mutual understanding between cultures has never been more urgent. Religious differences are seen as fuel for violence and warfare. In these pages, one of our greatest writers on religion, Karen Armstrong, amasses a sweeping history of humankind to explore the perceived connection between war and the world’s great creeds—and to issue a passionate defense of the peaceful nature of faith. With unprecedented scope, Armstrong looks at the whole history of each tradition—not only Christianity and Islam, but also Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Judaism. Religions, in their earliest days, endowed every aspect of life with meaning, and warfare became bound up with observances of the sacred. Modernity has ushered in an epoch of spectacular violence, although, as Armstrong shows, little of it can be ascribed directly to religion. Nevertheless, she shows us how and in what measure religions came to absorb modern belligerence—and what hope there might be for peace among believers of different faiths in our time. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Treasure Beneath the Hearth Edward Walker, 2015-02-27 Treasure Beneath the Hearth is a call for re-evaluation of myth as an inner language and for an approach to the gospels illuminated on the level of the intellect by modern, critical scholarship, and on the level of the imagination by the insights of depth psychology. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Buddha Karen Armstrong, 2008-11-03 The author of The Battle for God and other works on religion focuses her attention on the Buddha, retracing his life from prince to savior of humankind, in a philosophical portrait that offers an illuminating look at how his life and path to spiritual enlightenment spawned one of the great religions of the world. Reprint. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Canongate Myth Series Karen Armstrong, 2007 |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Holy War Karen Armstrong, 1988 The Crusades and their impact on today's world. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Girl Meets Boy Ali Smith, 2021-06-30 From the astonishingly talented writer of The Accidental and Hotel World comes Ali Smiths brilliant retelling of Ovids gender-bending myth of Iphis and Ianthe, as seen through the eyes of two Scottish sisters. Girl Meets Boy is about girls and boys, girls and girls, love and transformation, and the absurdity of consumerism, as well as a story of reversals and revelations that is as sharply witty as it is lyrical. Funny, fresh, poetic, and political, Girl Meets Boy is a myth of metamorphosis for a world made in Madison Avenues image, and the funniest addition to the Myths series from Canongate since Margaret Atwoods The Penelopiad. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The Case for God Karen Armstrong, 2011-05-31 There is widespread confusion about the nature of religious truth. For the first time in history, a significantly large number of people want nothing to do with God. Militant atheists preach a gospel of godlessness with the zeal of missionaries and find an eager audience. Tracing the history of faith from the Palaeolithic Age to the present, Karen Armstrong shows that meaning of words such as 'belief', 'faith', and 'mystery' has been entirely altered, so that atheists and theists alike now think and speak about God - and, indeed, reason itself - in a way that our ancestors would have found astonishing. Does God have a future? Karen Armstrong examines how we can build a faith that speaks to the needs of our troubled and dangerously polarised world. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: In the Beginning Karen Armstrong, 2011 As the foundation stone of the Jewish and Christian scriptures, the Book of Genesis unfolds some of the most arresting stories of world literature. In this book, Karen Armstrong brilliantly illuminates the mysteries and profundities of this mystifying work. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Through the Narrow Gate, Revised Karen Armstrong, 2005-02-19 Read and cherished by thousands all over the world since it was first published in 1981, Through the Narrow Gate takes the reader on a spiritual journey that began one September day in 1962 when Karen Armstrong said good-bye to her family at London's King's Cross station and journeyed on to the convent in Tripton to become a nun. Through the Narrow Gate is by turns a book of spiritual revelation and an intimate look at life inside the cloistered walls of the convent.--BOOK JACKET. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: A Little History of Religion Richard Holloway, 2016-08-23 For curious readers young and old, a rich and colorful history of religion from humanity’s earliest days to our own contentious times In an era of hardening religious attitudes and explosive religious violence, this book offers a welcome antidote. Richard Holloway retells the entire history of religion—from the dawn of religious belief to the twenty-first century—with deepest respect and a keen commitment to accuracy. Writing for those with faith and those without, and especially for young readers, he encourages curiosity and tolerance, accentuates nuance and mystery, and calmly restores a sense of the value of faith. Ranging far beyond the major world religions of Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism, Holloway also examines where religious belief comes from, the search for meaning throughout history, today’s fascinations with Scientology and creationism, religiously motivated violence, hostilities between religious people and secularists, and more. Holloway proves an empathic yet discerning guide to the enduring significance of faith and its power from ancient times to our own. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Mythmaking across Boundaries Züleyha Çetiner-Öktem, 2016-04-26 This volume explores the dynamics of myths throughout time and space, along with the mythmaking processes in various cultures, literatures and languages, in a wide range of fields, ranging from cultural studies to the history of art. The papers brought together here are motivated by two basic questions: How are myths made in diverse cultures and literatures? And, do all different cultures have different myths to be told in their artistic pursuits? To examine these questions, the book offers a wide array of articles by contributors from various cultures which focus on theory, history, space/ place, philosophy, literature, language, gender, and storytelling. Mythmaking across Boundaries not only brings together classical myths, but also contemporary constructions and reconstructions through different cultural perspectives by transcending boundaries. Using a wide spectrum of perspectives, this volume, instead of emphasising the different modes of the mythmaking process, connects numerous perceptions of mythmaking and investigates diversities among cultures, languages and literatures, viewing them as a unified whole. As the essays reflect on both academic and popular texts, the book will be useful to scholars and students, as well as the general reader. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: A Short History of Myth Karen Armstrong, 2005 Heralding a major series of retellings of international myths by authors from around the world, Armstrong's characteristically insightful and eloquent book serves as a brilliant and thought-provoking introduction to myth in the broadest sense. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The Mythology of Eden Arthur George, Elena George, 2014-05-23 The biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is a cornerstone of Western civilization, yet there are still many mysteries concerning its origins and meaning. In The Mythology of Eden, Arthur and Elena George utilize new historical and archaeological discoveries to reveal how the story’s author uses veiled symbolism and mythological storytelling to convey his message about the most profound questions of human existence regarding the divine, life, death, and immortality. This innovative book offers an interdisciplinary interpretation of the Eden story that delves into incorrect assumptions and brings to light details that have previously gone unnoticed. The Mythology of Eden provides a new understanding of the story of Adam and Eve and illuminates the story’s role and meaning in our modern world. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The Spiral Staircase Karen Armstrong, 2016-06-09 A raw, intensely personal memoir of spiritual exploration from one of the world’s great commentators on religion. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: A Short History of Brexit Kevin O'Rourke, 2019-01-31 'Crisp, clear and quietly devastating' Guardian 'Excellent, authoritative, highly readable' Irish Times A succinct, expert guide to how we got to Brexit After all the debates, manoeuvrings, recriminations and exaltations, Brexit is upon us. But, as Kevin O'Rourke writes, Brexit did not emerge out of nowhere: it is the culmination of events that have been under way for decades and have historical roots stretching back well beyond that. Brexit has a history. O'Rourke, one of the leading economic historians of his generation, explains not only how British attitudes to Europe have evolved, but also how the EU's history explains why it operates as it does today - and how that history has shaped the ways in which it has responded to Brexit. Why are the economics, the politics and the history so tightly woven together? Crucially, he also explains why the question of the Irish border is not just one of customs and trade, but for the EU goes to the heart of what it is about. The way in which British, Irish and European histories continue to interact with each other will shape the future of Brexit - and of the continent. Calm and lucid, A Short History of Brexit rises above the usual fray of discussions to provide fresh perspectives and understanding of the most momentous political and economic change in Britain and the EU for decades. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The Great Transformation Karen Armstrong, 2009-02-24 From one of the world’s leading writers on religion and the highly acclaimed author of the bestselling A History of God, The Battle for God and The Spiral Staircase, comes a major new work: a chronicle of one of the most important intellectual revolutions in world history and its relevance to our own time. In one astonishing, short period – the ninth century BCE – the peoples of four distinct regions of the civilized world created the religious and philosophical traditions that have continued to nourish humanity into the present day: Confucianism and Daoism in China; Hinduism and Buddhism in India; monotheism in Israel; and philosophical rationalism in Greece. Historians call this the Axial Age because of its central importance to humanity’s spiritual development. Now, Karen Armstrong traces the rise and development of this transformative moment in history, examining the brilliant contributions to these traditions made by such figures as the Buddha, Socrates, Confucius and Ezekiel. Armstrong makes clear that despite some differences of emphasis, there was remarkable consensus among these religions and philosophies: each insisted on the primacy of compassion over hatred and violence. She illuminates what this “family” resemblance reveals about the religious impulse and quest of humankind. And she goes beyond spiritual archaeology, delving into the ways in which these Axial Age beliefs can present an instructive and thought-provoking challenge to the ways we think about and practice religion today. A revelation of humankind’s early shared imperatives, yearnings and inspired solutions – as salutary as it is fascinating. Excerpt from The Great Transformation: In our global world, we can no longer afford a parochial or exclusive vision. We must learn to live and behave as though people in remote parts of the globe were as important as ourselves. The sages of the Axial Age did not create their compassionate ethic in idyllic circumstances. Each tradition developed in societies like our own that were torn apart by violence and warfare as never before; indeed, the first catalyst of religious change was usually a visceral rejection of the aggression that the sages witnessed all around them. . . . All the great traditions that were created at this time are in agreement about the supreme importance of charity and benevolence, and this tells us something important about our humanity. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: St. Paul Karen Armstrong, 2015 A stirring account of the life of Paul, who brought Christianity to the Jews, by the most popular writer on religion in the English-speaking world, Karen Armstrong, author of The History of God, which has been translated into thirty languages |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The HarperCollins Visual Guide to the New Testament Jonathan L. Reed, 2007-11-13 This one-of-a-kind presentation of the New Testament world and its archaeological treasures provides a new, more complete understanding of the world in which Christianity was born. Through lavish photographs, architectural plans, extensive maps, and detailed charts, you can explore the landscape of Nazareth where Jesus grew up; sit at the shores of Galilee where he preached; and enter the streets and temple of Jerusalem where his ministry was fulfilled. An experienced archaeologist and biblical expert will guide you throughout your journey around Israel and beyond—on the Mediterranean voyages of Paul to the homes and synagogues of the Roman Empire, where he planted the seeds of Christianity. Visit Emperor Nero's Golden House, witness the desperation of the Jewish revolutionaries at Masada, and explore the magnificent basilicas of Constantine the Great. The HarperCollins Visual Guide to the New Testament features: Rich descriptions of the worlds of Jesus, Paul, and the first Christians Full-color photographs of excavations, artifacts, coins, and pottery from New Testament sites Extensive maps Architectural floor plans of temples, palaces, and synagogues Commentary on how archaeology relates to the Bible Examination of modern excavation techniques and methods A beginners' guide to understanding pottery, coins, temples, and inscriptions |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Jerusalem Karen Armstrong, 2011-08-10 Venerated for millennia by three faiths, torn by irreconcilable conflict, conquered, rebuilt, and mourned for again and again, Jerusalem is a sacred city whose very sacredness has engendered terrible tragedy. In this fascinating volume, Karen Armstrong, author of the highly praised A History of God, traces the history of how Jews, Christians, and Muslims have all laid claim to Jerusalem as their holy place, and how three radically different concepts of holiness have shaped and scarred the city for thousands of years. Armstrong unfolds a complex story of spiritual upheaval and political transformation--from King David's capital to an administrative outpost of the Roman Empire, from the cosmopolitan city sanctified by Christ to the spiritual center conquered and glorified by Muslims, from the gleaming prize of European Crusaders to the bullet-ridden symbol of the present-day Arab-Israeli conflict. Written with grace and clarity, the product of years of meticulous research, Jerusalem combines the pageant of history with the profundity of searching spiritual analysis. Like Karen Armstrong's A History of God, Jerusalem is a book for the ages. BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Karen Armstrong's Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Pathways to Bliss Joseph Campbell, 2009-12 Joseph Campbell famously defined myth as ''other people's religion.'' But he also said that one of the basic functions of myth is to help each individual through the journey of life, providing a sort of travel guide or map to reach fulfillment - or, as he called it, bliss. For Campbell, many of the world's most powerful myths support the individual's heroic path toward bliss. In Pathways to Bliss, Campbell examines this personal, psychological side of myth. Like his classic bestselling books Myths to Live By and The Power of Myth, Pathways to Bliss draws from Campbell's popular lectures and dialogues, which highlight his remarkable storytelling and ability to apply the larger themes of world mythology to personal growth and the quest for transformation. Here he anchors mythology's symbolic wisdom to the individual, applying the most poetic mythical metaphors to the challenges of our daily lives. Campbell dwells on life's important questions. Combining cross-cultural stories with the teachings of modern psychology, he examines the ways in which our myths shape and enrich our lives. He explores the many insights of Carl Jung; the notion of self as the hero; and how East and West differ in their approaches to the ego. The book also includes an extensive question-and-answer session that ranges from mythological readings of the Bible to how the Hero's Journey unfolds for women. With his usual wit and insight, Campbell draws connections between ancient symbols and modern art, schizophrenia and the Hero's Journey. Along the way, he shows how myth can help each of us truly identify and follow our bliss. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: When They Severed Earth from Sky E. J. W. Barber, Paul T. Barber, 2006-09-25 Why were Prometheus and Loki envisioned as chained to rocks? What was the Golden Calf? Why are mirrors believed to carry bad luck? This groundbreaking book points the way to restoring some of that lost history and teaching about storytelling. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Courage Calls to Courage Everywhere Jeanette Winterson, 2018-11-01 Courage Calls to Courage Everywhere is a timely and inspiring call to arms by one of Britain’s most acclaimed and important writers. Whilst recognising how far women have come in the hundred years since getting the vote, Jeanette Winterson also insists that we must all do much more if we are to achieve true gender equality. Examining recent women’s rights movements, the worlds of politics, technology and social media and changes in the law, Winterson calls out all the ways in which women still face discrimination and disadvantage. Like the women who won the right to vote, we need to shout up, reach out, be courageous and finish the job. Also included in this volume is Emmeline Pankhurst’s landmark Suffragette speech, ‘Freedom or Death’, which she delivered in 1913. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The Hurricane Party Klas Östergren, 2009 Moving from the golden halls to the depths of the underworld, The Hurricane Party is about one man's search for justice for his son in a world on the brink. A place where true love is so strong it can bring about the end of time. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The End of the Monsoon John Lathrop, 2010-08-19 Michael Smith, at the US embassy in Cambodia, has an urgent assignment: do what it takes to help a US oil company secure its contract with the Cambodian government before upcoming elections strengthen a Chinese competitor. His affair with Zainab, the British charge's wife, complicates events. Unaware of Smith's role, Zainab pushes hard for reform, convincing her candidate to tie oil concessions to clean government, and Chinese concessions to the release of a dissident monk. The ruling party works for the monk's release, but insists that Zainab, a Buddhist herself, travels to the remote northern border for the handover. Smith considers a British diplomat's spouse to be a protected species in Cambodia. But does she really qualify? With tension, moral complexity and an authentic feel for modern Cambodia, The End of the Monsoon is a gripping story of love and the struggle for integrity. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Muhammad: Prophet for Our Time Karen Armstrong, 2009-10-15 From the bestselling writer of ‘The History of God’ and the widely acclaimed ‘Islam – A Short History’ comes Karen Armstrong's ‘Muhammad’. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Dream Angus Alexander McCall Smith, 2007-06-07 In a retelling of an ancient Celtic myth about Angus, the god of love, youth, and beauty and a trickster who turns one's romantic dreams upside down, five young men named Angus parallel the god's story as they search for true love. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Religion as We Know It: An Origin Story Jack Miles, 2019-11-12 A brief, beautiful invitation to the study of religion from a Pulitzer Prize winner. How did our forebears begin to think about religion as a distinct domain, separate from other activities that were once inseparable from it? Starting at the birth of Christianity—a religion inextricably bound to Western thought—Jack Miles reveals how the West’s “common sense” understanding of religion emerged and then changed as insular Europe discovered the rest of the world. In a moving postscript, he shows how this very story continues today in the hearts of individual religious or irreligious men and women. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: World Mythology Roy G. Willis, 1993 The great myths of the world create meaning out of the fundamental events of human existence: birth, death, conflict, loss, reconciliation, the cycle of the seasons. They speak to us of life itself in voices still intelligible, yet compellingly strange and distant. World Mythology offers readers an authoritative and wide-ranging guide to these enduring mythological traditions, combining the pure narrative of the myths themselves with the background necessary for more complete understanding. Here, noted mythology expert Roy Willis, brings together a team of nineteen leading scholars navigate a clear path through the complexities of myth as they distill the essence of each regional tradition and focus on the most significant figures and the most enthralling stories. All aspects of the world's key mythologies are covered, from tales of warring deities and demons to stories of revenge and metamorphosis; from accounts of lustful gods and star-crossed human lovers to journeys in the underworld. All are told at length and are accompanied by illuminating and readable introductory text. Also included are summaries of important theories about the origins and meaning of myth, and an examination of themes that recur across a range of civilizations. Beautifully illustrated with more than 500 color photographs, works of art, charts, and maps, World Mythology offers readers the most accessible guide yet to the heritage of the world's imagination. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Transformations of Myth Through Time Joseph Campbell, 1990-02-28 The renowned master of mythology is at his warm, accessible, and brilliant best in this illustrated collection of thirteen lectures covering mythological development around the world. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: We Are Now Beginning Our Descent James Meek, 2008-10-30 At the dawn of the twenty-first century Adam Kellas finds himself hurled on a journey between continents and cultures. In his quest from the war-torn mountains of Afghanistan to the elegant dinner tables of north London and then the marshlands of the American South, only the memory of the beautiful, elusive Astrid offers the possibility of hope. With all the explosive drama of The People's Act of Love, this is a spellbinding tale of folly and the pursuit of love from one of today's most talented and visionary writers. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: Poems of Heaven and Hell from Ancient Mesopotamia , 1989-06-06 For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The Doom of the Gods Michael Harrison, 1985 Follows the adventures of the inhabitants of Asgord, their magic weapons and their battles with their enemies. |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The Bible , 1616 |
| a short history of myth karen armstrong: The Gospel According to Woman Karen Armstrong, 1996 |
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SHORT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
He is short for his age. the shortest day of the year Life's too short to worry about the past. The movie was very short. You have done a lot in a short space of time. a short burst of speed I've …
SHORT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
SHORT definition: 1. small in length, distance, or height: 2. used to say that a name is used as a shorter form of…. Learn more.
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Short - definition of short by The Free Dictionary
short - primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration; "a short life"; "a short flight"; "a short holiday"; "a short story"; "only a few short months"
Meaning of short – Learner’s Dictionary - Cambridge Dictionary
SHORT definition: 1. having a small distance from one end to the other: 2. continuing for a small amount of time…. Learn more.
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SHORT | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
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