Here I think it would be helpful to discuss myth and its meaning and how it is important in the culture of a nation. From the beginning of the seminar most of us were trying to come up with a definition of myth. We all knew instinctively what it was but found ourselves confused when we tried to differentiate between myths, tales, folk stories, and fables. We agreed not to be picky about definition but to pursue all types of stories which might illuminate the nature of the beliefs and customs of the culture we were studying.
Most of us were familiar with Greek Mythology which presents a coherent set of gods and goddesses. However, other mythologies such as African did not present a consistent set of characters, although many of the tribes tell similar stories. This makes the material more difficult because the stories often crossover into what would be considered folk tales and fables. However, I still didn’t have a feel for how to incorporate the materials until I read some of the conversations of Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers from “The Power Of Myth.” I believe that Campbell offers a way to view folk tales and fables as related to mythology.
In the conversation Moyers and Campbell begin discussing the difference between myth and folk tales. Campbell sees myth as a higher form of story. “The myth is for Spiritual instruction… Civilizations are grounded in myth.”4 Campbell speaks about four functions of myth:
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Mystical Function - myths help the individual; to realize the mystery of the universe and how awesome it is.
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Cosmological Function - this is the aspect which science is concerned with. I may know the scientific principle of flight but it still doesn’t really explain it. In other words, explaining the universe but keeping the mystery. 3. Sociological Function - myth supports and validates the rules of a certain society.
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Pedagogical Function - myths help to teach us how to live our lives.5
Basically, Campbell sees myth as the highest form of a culture’s ideals and beliefs. The folk stories of the common man are more for entertainment, although they too help in a lesser degree to explain the larger mythology of a certain society. True myth has a holier and more revered place than folk tales or fables. These stories are for the young to begin to initiate them into the cultural beliefs of their society.
To further explain his point Campbell uses the idea of the temple, the palace, and the town. No matter what civilization you study you will find this hierarchy.
As Campbell sees it, each level generates part of the myth and keeps it alive. In his words, no matter what level you are dealing with in a society they are all “operating in the same symbolic field.” This field is based on the common experiences of people in the community. “Myths are so intimately bound to the culture, time, and place that unless the symbols, the metaphors are kept alive by constant recreation through the arts, the life just slips from them.”6
I believe that this helps to put into perspective the relationship between myth, folk tales, legends, and fables. Each in its own way is an instrument to help instruct average citizens and mostly the young on the traditions of the society and how they are to behave within that society. Fables help to teach us little morals, lessons we learn as children about dealing with other people and how to understand human nature. In presenting this material to young children I believe this instructional aspect of myth and its lesser forms is something that children can relate to.