Mythopoeic Theory Flashcards
1
Q
Northrop Frye
A
- Influenced by Campbell
- Great Canadian Critic
- 1912 to 1991
- Most famous work “The Anatomy of Criticism”
2
Q
Mythopoeic Theory - General Idea
A
- A form of structural criticism that tracks image patterns and looks at how ‘X’ is employed as a symbol
3
Q
What do myths bring to literature?
A
- They are collective and communal
- They bring a sense of wholeness and togetherness to social life
4
Q
What was Frye’s focus on?
A
Western literature and its classification
5
Q
Spring
A
- Comedy
- Defeat of winter and darkness
- Birth of the hero
- Revival and resurrection
- Gardens, flowers, youth, sexual bliss
6
Q
Summer
A
- Romance
- Innocence
- Culmination of life in the seasonal calendar
- Happy society resists change
7
Q
Fall
A
- Tragedy
- Dying stage of the seasonal calendar
- fall and demise of the protagonist
8
Q
Winter
A
- Irony/satire
- Darkness
- Return of chaos
- Defeat of the hero
- Wisdom: hero’s eyes are opened
9
Q
Strengths of mythological criticism
A
- Gives cues to figure out what’s happening
- Links historic and contemporary (ex. Hamlet & The Lion King)
- Encourages careful reading and analysis/interpretation
10
Q
Concerns of mythological criticism
A
- Ignores authors intent, social, historical and political values
- Text is seen mainly as a puzzle to be decoded
11
Q
Serpent becomes a snake
A
Punishment
12
Q
Tree
A
Wisdom/knowledge
13
Q
Apple
A
Temptation
14
Q
Groud/dust
A
Death & Birth
15
Q
Nakedness
A
Vulnerability
