Narrative elements in mythology

[eve_prime]

Hello, lit critics, scholars of comparative religion, and others who may know

Comments

[zufaellig]

What about Propp, V. Morphology of the Folktale?

[eve_prime]

Does that work focus specifically on these strong narrative elements or on the much more exhaustive taxonomy of folklore motifs?

[sibilance7]

Well, it's foundational to narrative theory, but I'm not sure it's exactly what you're looking for. It doesn't focus on motifs; it proposes a master list of events that always occur in folktales and the order in which they occur. Also, it's not really cross-cultural. Propp did his analysis on Russian folktales and I'm not sure some of his conclusions would apply to folktales from other cultures, although an argument could be made either way.

[eve_prime]

Oh, I think I've seen that. Interesting but probably not too relevant to the task at hand, as you say.

[star_cabaret]

What about anything by Joseph Campbell?

[eve_prime]

I associate him more with archetypal roles than with archetypal story elements. Would you be able to refer me to a specific work that focuses on the latter?

[star_cabaret]

Sadly, no. I've never had any interest in looking into it. As for roles vs. story elements, they're not really that different.

[eve_prime]

One is people, one is events. Thanks, though.

[aerrin]

Talk to your local reference librarian - there are a lot of reference works that are primarily lists of this element or that and what stories and/or mythologies they show up in. I doubt any one would be authoritative - it's a huge topic - but depending on the research you're doing, it's probably a good place to start.

[eve_prime]

Thanks, it's the "authoritative source" that's the key here.

[gehgoigoddess13]

Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces. There are definitely situations in there.

Also, Vladamir Propp, Russian Formalist.

[eve_prime]

Good, thanks!

[zufaellig]

Hmm, might Frazer (James "The golden bough", "Folklore in the old testament", etc) be of any help?

[eve_prime]

Maybe, though it's my understanding that he tended to romanticize things and force things to fit into his expectations. Good thought, though.