Critical Survey of Mythology and Folklore: Heroes & Heroines

Gr 9 Up—These 40 essays presented in six thematic categories ("Birth and Prophecy," "Trial and Quest," "The Host of Heroines," "Myth and Monstrosity," "The Cultural Hero," and "Survey of Myth and Folklore") will allow advanced students to compare heroes and heroines across eras and cultures. The "Cultural Hero" chapter, for example, includes individually authored entries about tricksters such as Anansi the spider, Robin Hood, and China's mischievous monkey king. In "Myth and Monstrosity" are essays about David and Goliath, Perseus and Medusa, and China's serpent slayer, Li Chi. A chapter on heroines includes Ethiopia's legend of the Queen of Sheba, Mark Twain's analysis of Joan of Arc, and China's female warrior, Mulan. Harry Potter's journey is the subject of a chapter discussing typical aspects of a mythological hero, such as extraordinary powers bestowed at birth, a call to adventure, and the endurance of tests and trials. Essays offer an overview, a summary, analysis, cross-cultural influences, a bibliography, and a sidebar of historical context. Unusual features include the title's 16 maps, which are complemented by charts of area mythological figures. In addition to a complete general index, there are indexes by country, culture, and time. Most useful is free access to the online version of the material. A chapter on using mythology in the classroom, and a sample lesson plan analyzing Homer's Penelope is directed at college instructors, but could be of interest to teachers of advanced secondary students in the current push to increase the rigor of their ELA curriculum.—Vicki Reutter, State University of New York at Cortland