A Structural Analysis of a Mandan Myth
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9217336 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ralph Kessel (Central Missouri State College Warrensburg, Missouri 64093, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1972 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 55 |
| Pages | 11-19 |
| Publication date | 1972-02-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Plains Anthropologist (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0032-0447 • E-ISSN: 2052-546X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/2052546.1972.11908611 |
| OpenAlex | W2769460556 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 2 |
This is an exercise in the application of Levi-Strauss’ techniques for the structural analysis of a myth. The technique puts form or structure before content-saying that cultural forms are reducible to Mind. The operations of the Mind conform to a dialectical process, pitting one form with its contrary, and arriving at a synthesis or mediation of terms. The elements of the myth will be strung out in two dimensions as the score of an orchestra -- a sequential order of notes is matched up with the harmony. Interpreting the score is like deciphering a code, which only becomes significant through the proper identification of the permutation of symbols.Three myths concerned with the Shell Robe Bundle from the Mandan were analyzed. Starting with one myth, opposing categories were constructed from a four-column sequence of elements. Permutations and homologous relations that obtained were then examined when all myths were compared. The structure of the myth rested on the oppositions winter and summer, and moved in cycles of opposition to that of life and death. Each opposing pair was mediated by the succeeding cycle as Winter and Summer are mediated by North and South
Art · Dialectic · Epistemology · Genealogy · Harmony (color) · Literature · Mythology · Narrative · Opposition (politics) · Political science · Salt lake · Visual arts · Classics · Geology · History · Law · Mathematics · Media, Communication, and Education · Paleontology · Philosophy
| Highly cited | No |
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