Blackwell Reference Online

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A myth is a story that has a parallel structure linking the past to the present and suggesting directions for the future. A myth may be a cautionary tale, as in the urban myths that teenagers tell about the dangers inherent in parking on dark side roads. A myth may also be a moral tale, as in morality plays and bedtime stories. Myths also may be about idealized behavioral standards, as in hero myths. As a sociological term, however, the primary use of the word myth has been rather casual. Sociological writers are likely to refer to the “myth” of masculinity ( Pleck 1981 ), the “myth” of self-esteem (Hewitt 1997) or the “myth” of the mommy role ( Douglas & Michaels 2006 ). This use of the term imputes a less-than-factual status to the topic of reference and calls into question the veracity of others’ accounts and theories. However, sociology currently lacks a clear concept of myth such as is found in anthropology or cultural studies. Comparative evolutionary anthropology, of which Frazer's The Golden Bough (1890) is perhaps the most recognized example, links contemporary myths to primitive rituals in the search for meaning through mystical experiences. This set of comparative principles was developed by T. S. Eliot in both his poetic work and in his 1923 article “ Ulysses , Order, and Myth.” Later, in 1966, Vickery suggested that an interdisciplinary examination of the larger ... log in or subscribe to read full text