Traditional Myths Research Articles

Religious Integration and the Development of Caodaism: An Overview

The formative stage of Cao Dai religion is closely connected to Vietnamese traditional myths, tales, doctrines and practices that are mostly transmitted orally down to the centuries. At the same time, Caodaism constantly maintained its links with religio-cultural elements of Chinese, Indian and Western origin. Due to this fact, Caodaism, with its synthesis of Eastern, Southeast Asian, Indian and Western elements specially from indigenous folk tales, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity, appeared as the religion of an acclaimed small group in 1926. This paper aims to examine how Caodaism evolved by a long-term process of Western and Asian acculturation. Thus, first to be considered is the significant role of socio- historical factors in creating a strong footing for the progress of Caodaism in Vietnam at the beginning of the early 20th century. Second, the process of Vietnamese acculturation is taken into consideration through which Caodaism borrowed diverse elements from different resources around it. Methodologically, a critical discourse analysis is adopted to consider the characteristics of Caodaism and its sociohistorical structure that is required to understand its historical origin and development. In conclusion, first, the study clearly demonstrates the close connection between Caodaism and the major factors of acculturation such as integration and assimilation for its development and diffusion around the South of Vietnam. Second, the current problem demands a careful consideration of some other crucial factors that might have influenced the rise and progress of Caodaism since its official journey in 1926. Philosophy and Progress, Vol#73-74; No#1-2; Jan-Dec 2023 P 21-36

Perceptions of Mothers with Children Aged 0 to 59 Months Regarding Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) in the Rural Community of Wogo, Sinder, Tillabery, Niger

The objective of this study was to evaluate perceptions and beliefs regarding exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) according to the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of mothers of children aged 0 to 59 months in the Wogo rural commune of Sinder/Tillabery/ Niger. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, on a representative sample of mothers of children aged under five years. A questionnaire was completed using a structured interview. The data were collected with ODK software then analyzed with SPSS and Epi Info version 7.2 software. Mothers in the age groups of 15 to 24 and 25 to 34 years mainly perceive that colostrum is bad for the health of the newborn 22.22% and 17.20%. These mothers use pre-lacteal products until the milk matures, which then changes color and becomes white. Mothers aged 35 to 53 years, for their part, perceive more of an insufficiency of milk secretion 26.87%. Among those not in school, 20.93% say that colostrum is bad; 14.53% think they don't have enough milk. 23.4% of those at primary level reject colostrum. Among unemployed mothers, 19.31% perceive colostrum as bad milk, and 16.55% of them perceive insufficient milk. First-time mothers mainly believe that the child is not satisfied with the consumption of milk only 28.67%. Despite their awareness, some mothers 10.24% say that the child will be thirsty, 14.45% perceive insufficient milk and 13.25% consider colostrum bad for health. The majority of mothers who gave birth in health centers and who did not practice EBF perceive insufficient milk secretion and the majority of women who gave birth at home say that colostrum is bad for the child 27, 37% and 22.10% say that the child is not satisfied with the consumption of breast milk alone. The perceptions and beliefs of mothers and their elders in traditional myths dangerously hinder the practice of EBF in this community.

Plataia between Light and Darkness

The special significance of Plataia already before the famous battle of 479 BC (in the mythical tradition connected with its site) and afterwards in the vicissitudes of the inter-Greek developments after the Persian Wars is analyzed to illustrate the bipolar importance of site and city as both a celebrated, dexterously manipulated symbol of unity and a bitter paradigm of practical disunity in Greek history.

A reply to my critics

ABSTRACT In this article, I respond to critics of Plato and the Mythic Tradition in Political Thought. First, I defend my choice to carve up the concept of myth into deep myths and literary myths. I address concerns that the effective focus of my book on literary myths risks jettisoning the political stakes of myth, and that it may not solve the definitional problems the move seeks to mitigate. Second, I answer my critics’ invitation to elaborate on the relationship between myth and critical reason. In particular, I attempt to resolve the tension they perceive between my definition of myth, as a medium that is distinctively opaque to criticism, and my argument that it can complement critical thought.

Angela Carter and Recreating Femininity in The Bloody Chamber: A Semiotic Analysis

Angela Carter's "The Bloody Chamber" stands as a transformative work in feminist literature, challenging entrenched gender norms and reshaping the landscape of contemporary storytelling. This paper delves into Carter's narrative prowess, exploring how her reimagining of traditional myths serves as a potent critique of patriarchal structures. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study utilizes a comprehensive literature review to analyse Carter's contributions to feminist discourse and the critical reception of her seminal work. Drawing on postmodern literary theories, particularly Roland Barthes's theory of myths, the paper examines Carter's deconstructive approach to storytelling and its implications for feminist literary criticism. Through meticulous analysis of Carter's narrative techniques, thematic preoccupations, and engagement with feminist discourse, this study offers fresh insights into the enduring relevance of "The Bloody Chamber" in contemporary literary studies. Ultimately, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of Carter's literary interventions and their broader implications for gender representation and cultural discourse.

Did COVID-19 Affect News Media Representations of Prisons, Inmates, and Correctional Officers? A Look Prior and Postpandemic

This study examines news media representations of Canadian prisons pre and post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Of interest was how media framed coverage of punishment and prisons with respect to discrete, event-driven traditional myths (prisons are dangerous, inmates are violent, correctional officers are cruel) versus more systemic, reform-oriented stories (more rehabilitation needed, racialized peoples over-represented, prison conditions harsh). In a pre-post COVID-19 content analysis of 182 stories, prison articles actually declined. Some traditional prison myths were still present and reinforced, but other myths were challenged and some were rarely seen. Discussions of prison reform were also frequently observed and grew during the pandemic.

THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF MYTHS IN POLITICS

A myth in politics can be defined as an altered form of political consciousness, in which knowledge and understanding of factual information is replaced by images, symbols. In this paper, we proceed from the understanding that, unlike the political myth, a classical myth is a universal narrative (narrative), a traditional legend that figuratively interprets historical events and serves to explain natural phenomena and meanings, the origin of customs, traditions, beliefs - human civilizations and the whole world as a whole, through allegorical emotional and sensual images. Usually the origin of a traditional myth is unknown, while a myth that has a political nature is often professionally launched and has a specific circle of people for whose benefit it is created. In the political struggle, myths can be used as purposefully created and disseminated stories (narratives), sacralizing the existing system of power and denigrating its opponents in the public mind. The article discusses the role of political myth in world history and politics. Also presented is a model for the analysis of myths in politics, which includes the definition of the essence, structure, features, processes and functions of myths in politics. A comparative analysis of traditional and political myths has been carried out.

The Evolution of Female Characters From Antiquity to Modernity: An Examination of Marinna Carr's and Carol Lashof's Adaptations of Classical Mythology

Literature relies heavily on mythology. Myths are stories of deities, monsters or immortals which are transformed from one generation to the other. In addition to documenting the religious and cultural experiences of a specific community, myths also outline the consequent literary, artistic and dramatic customs. Some Greek myths have survived for thousands of years because they accurately depict historical events, cultural values, and trends. Among the most famous classical myths are the myths of Medusa and Medea. As for the myth of Medusa, the earliest known record was found in Theogony (700BC) by Hesiod (8 th-7th century BC). A later version of the Medusa myth was made by the Roman poet Ovid (43BC –17/18AD), in his “Metamorphoses” (3-8 AD). Then again, Medea is a tragedy produced in 431 BC by the Greek playwright Euripides(480–406BC) based on the myth of Jason and Medea. Both Medusa and Medea are among the most fascinating and complex female protagonists in Greek mythology which have captivated many writers and playwrights for ages. In the twentieth century, there were many adaptations of both mythological figures; among these adaptations were those made by contemporary American and Irish women playwrights like Carol Lashof (1956-) and Marinna Carr (1964-). This paper examines the myths of Medusa and Medea and analyses the ways these myths are borrowed, refashioned and exploited in Lashof’s Medusa’s Tale (1991) and Carr’s By the Bog of Cats (1998). Both playwrights explore hidden dimensions of the traditional myths, combining elements from the old and modern worlds.

Возвращение в Уэльс: поэзия Линетт Робертс 1940-х годов

The paper examines the poetry of Lynette Roberts (1909-1995), one of the most significant but little-studied authors of the late modernism era. A native of Argentina and Welsh by birth, in the 1940s, Roberts carried out a creative experiment, trying to reconstruct the Welsh heritage in her lyrical poetry based not only on traditional myth, but also on direct personal experience. This project resulted in the 1944 collection “Poems” analyzed in the paper. The aim of the research is to determine the specifics of Roberts’s 1940s poetry in the context of the poet’s search for her national identity. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the research is the first Russian work to provide a brief overview of the poet’s biography and writings. It is the first time that the key features of Roberts’s poetics have been identified by analysing the most significant texts from her 1944 collection “Poems”. The research findings showed that there is an unusual synthesis of the modernist and the traditional folk perception of reality in Roberts’s poems. The dual nature of the persona’s view is also explained by her contradictory position: she is inside the Welsh tradition as its heir, but at the same time, she observes it from the outside as a person belonging to a different culture.

Reflection on Engineering Myth from the Viewpoint of the Technological Culture

Abstract Myth influences the thinking and imagination of engineering activities with its rich narrative and symbolic meaning, and engineering transforms technological evolution into reality, providing new possibilities for the inheritance and reshaping of myth. From the perspective of technological culture, we analyze the engineering myths that are intertwined and fused with mythological narratives and engineering practices, breaking the “sacred” limitations in the process, exploring new engineering fields and creating a sustainable future with a broader, more open, and more flexible vision. To examine the social influence of engineering myths, a knowledge map of traditional myths and technological culture was created. Taking the Chang’e moon exploration project as an example, academic qualifications have significant correlations with political influence, military influence, psychosocial influence, and educational influence. After analyzing the technological culture exhibition of the engineering myth, the technological culture of engineering myth purports to strengthen the interaction between culture and engineering, encourage engineering practice to transcend itself and guide the realization of technological ethics in engineering practice.

Literature and Mythology: Exploring Mythological Elements and Archetypes in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”

This article delves into the intricate relationship between literature and mythology, exploring how C.S. Lewis skilfully intertwines mythological elements and archetypes in his classic children's book, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." The author examines the use of Christian symbolism, the resurrection motif, and characters inspired by traditional myths to create a timeless narrative. The essay explores the subversion of myths within the story, emphasizing the nuanced characterization of figures like the White Witch and the unexpected transformation of flawed heroes. Additionally, the article analyses the thematic implications and character development in the novel, highlighting the central themes of good vs. evil, redemption, sacrifice, heroism, and friendship. Furthermore, it discusses how Lewis subtly subverts mythological elements, challenging preconceptions and providing a fresh perspective on timeless tropes. The Narnian setting itself is examined, with its disruption of time and diverse array of magical creatures challenging conventional expectations. In conclusion, the article asserts that "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" stands as a testament to the enduring impact of the legendary genre on fiction, showcasing Lewis's ability to transform familiar myths into a thought-provoking and timeless masterpiece.

Reading Bhadralok Cultural Memory, Kitsch And Culture Industry In Ritwik Ghatak’s Films

The paper problematizes Ghatak’s Marxist treatment of the Bengali as well as the Brahmanical repertoire of cultural knowledge, for the purpose of carving out a Communist significance of the period. Rather than a recontextualization of traditional myths, the paper reads in this attitude a nostalgic particularistic abstraction of a rich array of aesthetic ideas, which are best appreciated in their diverse cultural context. The paper argues that Ghatak utilizes creative opuses of vast potential to serve political goals, with an aim of strengthening the East Bengali immigrant population in post-Partition West Bengal. The paper criticizes how Ghatak breaks down the traditions from different spatial and temporal coordinates for serving the representation of the plights of the Bengali Refugee – making a powerful integrated identity of the traumatized subject at the expense of erasing class, caste, communal and gender distinctions. In this, there is an effort to fashion an imaginary unified East Bengali sub-national entity, which is politically evened out for realization of unique identity and clout.

PSEUDO-SACRIFICIAL ALLUSIONS IN HOSIDIUS GETA'S MEDEA

AbstractThis article explores the allusive strategy of the late second-century cento-tragedy Medea attributed to Hosidius Geta, which recounts Medea's revenge against Jason using verses from the works of Virgil. It argues that the text's author recognized a consistent strand of characterization in earlier treatments of the Medea myth, whereby the heroine's filicide is presented as a corrupted sacrifice. Geta selectively uses verses from thematically significant episodes in the Aeneid—the lying tale of Sinon and the death of Laocoön; the murder of Priam; the suicide of Dido—at key points to foreground the theme of pseudo-sacrificial violence. Geta's use of Virgil evinces a keen appreciation both of the symbolism of the broader mythic tradition in which his text is situated and of the original narrative contexts of the verses he recycles. The article's findings contribute to a growing recognition of the creative potential afforded by the cento technique.

PLATO`S MYTHS

The article examines the question of Plato's concern with mythology. The author claims that Plato was an uncompromising critic of traditional myth and poetic myth-making, because such myths distorted the real images of the gods and their actions. Poetic myths do not reflect well on education, so their creators should, as Plato believed, be removed from a just state. The article draws attention to the fact that Plato himself was a significant mythmaker - he tells many important philosophical ideas precisely in the form of myths. The author analyzes the reasons for Plato's appeal to myth, defines the functions performed by myth in Plato's dialogues, the importance of Platonic myth-making for philosophy and mythology. It is noted that Plato uses myth as a tool of expressiveness, considers it as an effective means of persuasion. On the other hand, the article proves the thesis that the Platonic myth is a way to express the deep problems of existence that cannot be grasped by the human mind. Therefore, Plato's myths tell about what happens in the sky, under the Earth in Hades, in the distant past. The article concludes that a substantial reform of the entire ancient Greek mythology takes place in the Platonic myth-making activity. Plato combines myth with rational thinking, with the Logos. For Plato, a myth is a rationalized myth in which not only the cosmos acquires a divine dimension, but also man and his world, the polis. This is how the dialectician becomes a creator of myths. Plato, the article claims, becomes a mythmaker because it is extremely important for him to find a support for man in the human soul, as reliable and eternal as the divine cosmos of traditional myths used to serve.

“[O]ne is lost to understand what this has to do with the [Black] experience”: Percival Everett, André Alexis, and Racialized Authorial Expectations

Percival Everett and André Alexis have each affirmed their desire to produce art free from any external obligations by producing fiction designed to provoke and then to destabilize conditioned responses in their readers. One of the many ways in which both of them accomplish this aim is to write about subjects and in modes that confound what Lavelle Porter identifies as a host of “sloppy, simplistic, lazy, and inevitable” presumptions surrounding what Black writers should and should not write about. Both Everett and Alexis have written decidedly contemporary fiction that repurposes characters and plots from ancient Greek literature in various ways, including textual parody, metamythic pastiche, and conspicuous inclusion of Classical characters and forms into otherwise contemporary narratives. By doing so, they engage with a mythic tradition that a grossly reductive view on race and authorship perceives as not-theirs and navigate between a Scylla and Charybdis of cultural appropriation on one side and race treachery on the other. They not only explore their own aesthetic/philosophical interests through their renovations of Greek mythology, but they also hold up a mirror to the ways that the presumptions their readers bring with them affect (and limit) their interpretations.

Dark Skies and Light Pollution: An Art-Historical Approach

The sight of vast numbers of stars is becoming increasingly obstructed from view for most of humanity by increasing light pollution in the ‘civilised’ world. From the ancient Greeks and medieval Europe to the industrial age and our own times, the sight and contemplation of stars, planets and galaxies have inspired religions and philosophies, as well as traditional myths and stories. Understanding the complexities of the universe led to the development of scientific theories, yet it is science and its effects on pollution and climate change that now seem to be removing from sight the astronomical phenomena that surround us. Consideration of visual images of the dark sky over time is an essential backstory to the movement to protect the Dark Sky from obliteration. Ancient and traditional depictions of heaven and the night sky (particularly of the Milky Way) will be examined to provide a context for the fascination with the night sky in relation to problems of ever-increasing light pollution.1

<신과 함께> 웹툰과 영화에 반영된 뮈토스(mythos) 고찰

Ju Ho-min’s webtoon Along with the Gods (Singwa hamkke), serialized on Naver Webtoons from 2010 to 2012, reimagined Korea’s Buddhist and shamanic mythology regarding the afterlife. It achieved immense popularity and was adapted into two films in 2017 and 2018, both of which performed exceptionally well at the box office. This paper compares the first volume of the webtoon (the “Afterlife Volume”) with the first of these two films (subtitled “The Two Worlds”), examining how the message of the narrative changed in the process of media conversion. The concept of “mythos(μῦθος),” meaning an overriding set of values or worldview that may include individual myths, is borrowed
 to examine both the webtoon’s and the film’s messages. The webtoon makes active use of traditional myths with which general readers might not be familiar, and by taking an everyman as its protagonist and depicting the afterlife in a modernized, familiar way it encourages readers to imagine themselves in the same situation that protagonist Kim Ja-hong finds himself in. This gives readers the opportunity to put themselves in Ja-hong’s shoes and reflect on their own sins. In addition, comparisons drawn between this life and the afterlife express social criticism, demonstrating in particular how unreasonable modern society is and how difficult it is for someone to live a decent
 life. This is ultimately a criticism of the “success mythos” prevalent in modern Korean society. The film, on the other hand, introduces viewers to a heroic protagonist and depicts the afterlife in a variegated way suited to fantasy or historical drama. In particular, the punishment of sinners in the various hells, the journey undertaken between the hells by the protagonist and the Guardians, the scenes of fights with terrifying creatures or spirits, and the scenes depicting a Guardian chasing and fighting a vengeful spirit all present spectacles worthy of a blockbuster film. This spectacle may function to immerse the viewer in the film, but it also presents an obstacle to the viewer putting themselves in the protagonist’s shoes. In addition, the film’s final message of “forgiveness” and “love” perpetuates the modern mythos of motherhood seen in concepts such as “wise mother, good wife.” It is unlikely that this mythos was expressed intentionally; more likely, it simply shows that it still exists implicitly in Korean society, and it emerged as the filmmakers attempted to heighten viewer empathy for the characters.

Representation of mythological images in Russian cinema (on the example of the film "A Visitor to a Museum")

The article shows that cinema is one of the components of mass culture, which has not only an entertaining function, but also broadcasts mythological images and has its modern developed mythology. Popular culture uses traditional myths, adding its own interpretation to them. Some images may be easily recognizable, and although they may have several semantic layers, these images are perceived at the level of the collective unconscious. The author considers the elements of myth, transmitted in films, as a mythologeme. The materials of the article can be useful in the course on the History of Art, Cinema, and Cultural Studies.

Preparation and properties of multiple dynamically crosslinked self-healing poly(siloxane-urethane) flexible sensor

The flexible sensor with self-healing performance can heal itself when the sensor is damaged by the outside world, so it can significantly improve the service life of the sensor and reduce the repair cost, which has attracted widespread attention. However, currently, most flexible sensors with self-healing performance have problems such as single repair conditions and difficulty in balancing mechanical performance and repair efficiency. In this study, polypyrrole modified carbon nanotubes (PPY/CNTs) were first made, and then, inspired by the Chinese traditional myth “Nuwa Fuxi”, a multiple dynamic crosslinking self-healing composite poly(siloxane-urethane) conductive elastomer (CPUSi) was successfully developed. The prepared CPUSi has excellent mechanical properties (11.27 MPa) and total shear repair efficiency (84%) under the excitation of multiple dynamic reversible interactions. At the same time, the surface scratch of CPUSi can be self-healing under multiple conditions such as heating at 60 °C, infrared light and ultraviolet light. The scratch repair efficiency is up to 99.9% under infrared light for 2 h. in addition, CPUSi has cyclic response to temperature and strain, so the material has broad application prospects in sports monitoring, electronic skin, intelligent wear, brain-computer interface and other fields

The great reconciliation of reason and myth

ABSTRACT This paper examines the suggestion in Tae-Yeoun Keum’s Plato and the Mythic Tradition in Political Thought that myth and reason can be reconciled in a practice of philosophy. If that practice remains centered around critical reasoning, and myth is resistant to such reasoning, then Keum’s argument seems to suggest that resistance to critical reasoning must be somehow necessary to critical reasoning. How to make sense of this apparent contradiction? Exploring the ambiguous relationship between myth and truth, I explore several ways of understanding Keum’s contribution.