Knowledge skills for Mythology

[jason taylor]

Equally to the point I am not sure TOLKIEN would think Austen non-imaginative even if he did sometimes have a low opinion of authors not himself (to be fair critics rather looked down on speculative work in his time). In any case I am sure Lewis didn't think so.

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by RGTraynor

Neil Gaiman writes fiction, and it is his job first and foremost to be entertaining. He is allowed to change and invent myth as he sees fit, as long as it's dramatically appropriate and results in an entertaining tale.

Joseph Campbell was an academic writing about academic themes, and it was his job first and foremost to be accurate. If he changed just about anything at all to suit his amour propre, he would've been discredited and discarded. Comparing them is unreasonable.

That being said, my vote on the general subject is Literature. Theology? Not really. Most popular treatments of "mythology" involve stories. We hear relatively little information on the doctrine and dogma of the faith of Odin, the practices of his priests, the details of his worship. Instead, we see stories: Odin giving life to Ask and Embla at the creation of the world, Odin and the Valkyries, Odin sacrificing his eye for wisdom, Odin hanging from Yggdrasil, Odin foretelling and seeking to stave off Ragnarok.

True-as far as that goes. On the other hand if you are positing an aspect of mythology that would make you go on a quest for more than antiquarian curiosity (such as an amulet vaguely inspired by some myth) you will have to give him Theology or Philosophy or Occultism. Probably the later. I know perfectly well why Jews only say the half-halel at Passover (saying the full is rejoicing over ones enemies which does not fit modern values though it admittedly has some precedence in Psalms but the half is just for one's own freedom). However that theological thing is irrelevant unless you are telling a romance, a novel of manners, or a coming of age involving Jews. For a fantastic story you would want something involving a golem and there is nothing theological about golems.

[The Colonel]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

Equally to the point I am not sure TOLKIEN would think Austen non-imaginative even if he did sometimes have a low opinion of authors not himself (to be fair critics rather looked down on speculative work in his time). In any case I am sure Lewis didn't think so.

Anyone else think it a shame that the Austen family's fantasy setting never made it into print?

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by The Colonel

Anyone else think it a shame that the Austen family's fantasy setting never made it into print?

She was to busy with all those vampires.

But I did not say she wrote fantasy. I said she did not lack imagination and that Tolkien was a bit of a grouch.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by The Colonel

Anyone else think it a shame that the Austen family's fantasy setting never made it into print?

I've always envisioned it as the Brontes who invented shared worlds.

[The Colonel]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

She was to busy with all those vampires.

But I did not say she wrote fantasy. I said she did not lack imagination and that Tolkien was a bit of a grouch.

Originally Posted by whswhs

I've always envisioned it as the Brontes who invented shared worlds.

Bill is correct - I was confusing Jane Austen with the Bronte family...

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by The Colonel

Bill is correct - I was confusing Jane Austen with the Bronte family...

They're creepy and they're kooky,
Mysterious and spooky . . .

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by whswhs

They're creepy and they're kooky,
Mysterious and spooky . . .

Yes but there is something charming about a sisterly team of bookworms.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

Yes but there is something charming about a sisterly team of bookworms.

Well, not all sisterly. Don't forget Branwell!

But I'm not sure why you're saying "yes, but." Don't you find the Addamses charming?

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by whswhs

Well, not all sisterly. Don't forget Branwell!

But I'm not sure why you're saying "yes, but." Don't you find the Addamses charming?

Actually I was talking about the Brontes.