Date of Award

Spring 2007

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Liberal Studies

Degree Name

Master of Arts

First Advisor

John Cerullo

Abstract

Mythology entertains, relates history and conveys man's relationship to god and the universe. Mythology provides individuals with life models and establishes a connection to the people from whom an individual is descended. Works of modern literature that incorporate mythology and universal human themes and archetypes provide a contemporary guide to dealing with the problems universally faced by people.

In Western literature, Homer first established the hero and the journey archetypes approximately 800 B.C. and authors continue to use them. In literature, heroes are important and interesting characters who are role models and who teach the reader important lessons about the human condition. This paper discusses the mythological connection and the archetypes of the hero and the journey in the context of "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter", two incredibly popular cultural icons of literature through which the timeless lessons of mythology are transmitted to a modern audience.

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