Myths of the Underworld in Contemporary Culture: The Backward Gaze examines a series of twentieth and twenty-first century fictional works that adapt Greco-Roman myths of the catabasis, the heroic journey to the underworld. Covering a range of genres - including novels, comics, and children's culture, by authors such as Elena Ferrante, Salman Rushdie, Neil Gaiman, A. S. Byatt, Toni Morrison, and Anne Patchett - it reveals how an enduring fascination with life after death, and fantasies of accessing the world of the dead while we are still alive, manifest themselves in myriad and varied re-imaginings of the ancient descent myth. The volume begins with a detailed overview of the use of the myth by ancient authors such as Homer, Aristophanes, Vergil, and Ovid, before exploring the ways in which the narrative of a return trip to Hades by Odysseus, Aeneas, Orpheus, and Persephone can be manipulated by contemporary storytellers to fit themes of social marginality and alterity, postmodern rebellion, the position of female authors in the literary canon, and the dislocation endured by refugees, exiles, and diasporic populations. It also argues that citations of classical underworld stories can disrupt and challenge the literary canon by using media - such as comic books, children's culture, or rock music - not conventionally associated with high culture.

Myths of the Underworld in Contemporary Culture: The Backward Gaze' examines a series of twentieth and twenty-first century fictional works that adapt Greco-Roman myths of the catabasis, the heroic journey to the underworld. Covering a range of genres - including novels, comics, and children's culture, by authors such as Elena Ferrante, Salman Rushdie, Neil Gaiman, A.S. Byatt, Toni Morrison, and Anne Patchett - it reveals how an enduring fascination with life after death, and fantasies of accessing the world of the dead while we are still alive, manifest themselves in myriad and varied re-imaginings of the ancient descent myth. The volume begins with a detailed overview of the use of the myth by ancient authors such as Homer, Aristophanes, Vergil, and Ovid, before exploring the ways in which the narrative of a return trip to Hades by Odysseus, Aeneas, Orpheus, and Persephone can be manipulated by contemporary storytellers to fit themes of social marginality and alterity, postmodern rebellion, the position of female authors in the literary canon, and the dislocation endured by refugees, exiles, and diasporic populations. It also argues that citations of classical underworld stories can disrupt and challenge the literary canon by using media - such0as comic books, children's culture, or rock music - not conventionally associated with high culture.

Examining a range of contemporary fictional works that adapt Greco-Roman myths of the descent into the underworld, from novels and comics to children's culture, this volume reveals the ways in which the catabasis narrative can be manipulated by storytellers to reflect upon postmodern culture, feminist critiques, and postcolonial appropriations.

Thomas Pynchon and the Postmodern Mythology of the Underworld is devoted to the work of one of the most highly acclaimed writers of the post-World War II period of American literature, Thomas Pynchon. Through close readings and broad amplification, this book illustrates that the descent to the underworld is the single most important myth in Pynchon's work, conferring shape and significance upon each of his novels. This book also offers a unique perspective on postmodernism, which is characterized by ludic syncretism - the playful synthesis of myths from a variety of cultures. In addition, Thomas Pynchon and the Postmodern Mythology of the Underworld is a major contribution to the study of myth and literature as a whole, through the definition of what Evans Lansing Smith calls necrotypes - archetypal images catalyzed by the mythology of the underworld. This book employs an interdisciplinary methodology that will be of critical interest to scholars of comparative literature, mythology, and religion; to theorists and critics of modernism and postmodernism; to depth psychologists in the traditions of Jung, Freud, and James Hillman; as well as to the broad base of Pynchon enthusiasts and exponents of popular culture.

Monumental epic poem tells the heroic story of Aeneas, a Trojan who escaped the burning ruins of Troy to found Lavinium, the parent city of Rome, in the west.

This dissertation asserts that myths of the journey to the underworld in which the protagonist is female have been marginalized in favor of stories in which the descender is male. In laying out the historical basis of the scholarship on the journey to the underworld (the nekyia), the study attributes this prejudice to a Christological bias that has lent prominence to myths in which the narrative follows the pattern of descent and resurrection or return. The dissertation further asserts that, often, female figures who descend to the underworld act in significantly different ways than their male counterparts and that stories of feminine descent commonly break the traditional mold and result in the protagonist remaining in the underworld.Through religious and cultural analysis and psychological interpretation, the dissertation compares six myths of female descent. Analyses of the nekyia of Ereshkigal, Hel, Izanami, Hine-nui-te-po, Inanna, and Persephone show that female descent narratives are as wide-spread as those of males and illuminate the differences between feminine descent and the traditionally accepted pattern of katabasis. Using both a socio-religious and a Jungian lens, this dissertation focuses on the meanings these figures had for their contemporary believers and may have archetypally for all people.The study concludes that despite traditional interpretations that see female figures in nekyia myths as incubators for male heroes, female katabatic figures have far more agency than is traditionally granted to them and that their remaining in the underworld results in a taking up of sovereignty. It finds that these female figures, far from being “defeated” by the underworld, cloak themselves in its power and come to abide there, making it their home. The conclusions drawn in this dissertation illuminate the contribution to be made to nekyia studies by the inclusion of female stories, as well as the diversity of ways in which descent without anabasis is not only a viable, but powerful part of the nekyia.

Delve into the depths of mythology and mystery with "Echoes of the Underworld" by Skye Hellviolet. This captivating book takes readers on a journey through ancient legends, modern interpretations, and the timeless symbolism of the underworld archetype. From the ancient myths of Greece and Egypt to the contemporary tales of fantasy and science fiction, "Echoes of the Underworld" explores the universal themes and archetypes that have captivated human imagination for centuries. Through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis, Skye Hellviolet sheds light on the hidden truths and deeper meanings behind these timeless tales, inviting readers to uncover the mysteries of the human psyche and the collective unconscious. With a blend of scholarship and creativity, "Echoes of the Underworld" offers a fresh perspective on familiar stories and introduces readers to lesser-known myths and legends from cultures around the world. Drawing on her background in literature and psychology, Skye Hellviolet delves into the symbolism of the underworld archetype, exploring its relevance to contemporary culture, spirituality, and personal growth. Whether you're a lover of mythology, a seeker of wisdom, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, "Echoes of the Underworld" is sure to captivate and inspire. Journey into the depths of the human psyche and discover the echoes of the underworld that resonate within us all.