Myths and Myth-Makers

Myths and Myth-Makers by John Fiske is a textbook about comparative mythology providing insight into prejudice and human nature. Excerpt: «IN publishing this somewhat rambling and unsystematic series of papers, in which I have endeavored to touch briefly upon a great many of the most important points in the study of mythology, I think it right to observe that, to avoid confusing the reader with intricate discussions, I have sometimes cut the matter short, expressing myself with dogmatic definiteness where a skeptical vagueness might perhaps have seemed more becoming. In treating popular legends and superstitions, the paths of inquiry are circuitous enough, and seldom can we reach a satisfactory conclusion until we have traveled around Robin Hood's barn and back again.»