1. America Symbols Symbols Stories Stories Legends Legends Images Images Archetypes Archetypes Songs Songs Geography Geography Icons Icons Myths Myths History History Heroes Heroes Seen by outsiders Seen by outsiders Economy Economy Culture Culture Identity Identity Language Language Race Race

2. Defining Myth Typically understood by the layperson as a fictional story, a falsehood, or a variety of the ‘old wives’ tale.’ Typically understood by the layperson as a fictional story, a falsehood, or a variety of the ‘old wives’ tale.’ Sometimes understood as a story antithetical to Judeo-Christian belief; ie., a ‘pagan myth’ Sometimes understood as a story antithetical to Judeo-Christian belief; ie., a ‘pagan myth’ Post Freud and Jung, and with influence of Frasier, Eliade, and Campbell, a new, more exansive definition. Post Freud and Jung, and with influence of Frasier, Eliade, and Campbell, a new, more exansive definition.

3. Myth: A beginning definition (mine) A myth is a powerful story that conveys essential truths about a culture, its people, and its understanding of itself. A myth is a powerful story that conveys essential truths about a culture, its people, and its understanding of itself. We’ll explore varieties and nuances relative to this conception of myth. We’ll explore varieties and nuances relative to this conception of myth. We will investigate how myth functions within intellectual, literary, and cultural history. We will investigate how myth functions within intellectual, literary, and cultural history.