The myths of the opossum : pathways of Mesoamerican mythology

Book

The myths of the opossum : pathways of Mesoamerican mythology / Alfredo López Austin ; translated by Bernard R. Ortiz de Montellano, Thelma Ortiz de Montellano.

Summary:

Published in 1990 under the title Los mitos del tlacuache, this is the first major theoretical study of Mesoamerican mythology by one of the foremost scholars of Aztec ideology. Using the myth cycle of the opossum and the theft of fire from the gods as a touchstone, the author constructs a definition of myth that pertains to all of Mesoamerican culture, challenging the notion that to be relevant such studies must occur within a specific culture. Shown here is that much of modern mythology has ancient roots, despite syncretism with Christianity, and can be used to elucidate the pre-Columbian world view. Analysis of pre-Columbian myths can also be used to understand current indigenous myths. Subtopics include the hero and his place in the Mesoamerican pantheon, divine space and human space, mythic event clusters, myth as truth, and the fusion of myth and history.

Record details

ISBN: 9780826313942
ISBN: 0826313949
ISBN: 9780826350350
ISBN: 0826350356
Physical Description: xi, 421 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Albuquerque : University of New Mexico Press, ©1993.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:: Includes bibliographical references (pages 381-412) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:: The comings and goings of a marsupial -- Home of the gods -- The point of departure -- The other time -- The other space -- The passage -- How do you measure a myth? -- Beliefs and narrations -- To think that way -- The nature of the gods I -- The nature of the gods II -- The nature of the gods III -- Order -- Classifications -- The gods acquire history -- Telling the tale -- Invention -- Character I -- Character II -- Subjects worthy of being related -- Stories worthy of being believed -- The functions of myth -- How it turns out that myth is true -- Myth in the time of history -- History in the time of myth -- Putting the tale together -- Reading the myth -- Ye Ixquich.