Monday, November 14, 2005
Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom and I have caught this at least three times when it's showed on PBS during their funds drives. For both of us it's the Cosmos of philosophy/spirituality.
However, if I may, I don't know how my mother felt about this issue, but I have always found it disturbing that Campbell's Mythology Universe was so male centric that women are reduced to tools along the hero's path. I haven't given this much thought, until recently (starting, maybe, in 2019). Today (8/14/21), however, while refurbishing this post, I decided to see if I could find some critiques of Campbell's premises, possibly feminist critiques.
- First exhibit: a general critique of this broadcast interview between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell that does, indeed, touch, lightly, on the problem of women in Campbell's mythological universe, and, more heavily, on the morality and practicality of "the hero's journey" thinking.
- Second exhibit: Thoughts on the Legacy of Joseph Campbell, Feminist Reaction, and the Study of Myth. Long paper. Excellent read. Can be gleaned for further resources. Absolutely spot on in it's critique of Campbell's androcentricity, even as he speaks about "The Goddess".
- Third Exhibit: Here is a reddit post entitled Joseph Campbell and 'Women Don't Need To Make The Journey' which lead me to a profoundly informative and active site addressing the problem of Joseph Campbell, heroes and women, in the next link exhibit:
- Fourth Exhibit: There is, in fact, an entire website devoted to The Heroine Journeys project, in contradistinction to Campbell. It's full of wonderfully thoughtful material.
- Final Exhibit: Craig Chalquist, PhD writes on Why I Seldom Teach The Hero's Journey Anymore -- And What I Teach Instead. He even outlines his reimagining of Campbell's syllabus, which I find fascinating.
Release Date: 1988
No apparent director acknowledged, although Bill Moyers edited the conversations.
Update 2/8/18: I watched this, again, a few months ago. I've done a lot of reading and studying in mythology since Mom and I watched this series and I'm completely underwhelmed, now. Many sources do it better and more thoroughly. This will probably, eventually, be donated to the library or handed off to someone I know.
Update 2/10/18: I know, peculiar to attach the label "super-hero" to this series, but Campbell talks about the hero myth and, well, that's what generates super-heroes, agreed?
Update 8/14/21: No, I haven't donated this to my local library, yet. I think I'm keeping it because it continues to provide a valuable annoyance function for me. As I age, I am becoming more and more aware of the disgusting status of women in society. It always helps to have provocative and supportive material around, as that happens.
Update 5/13/2022: If you've ever watched an episode, or two, or all of this series and need to wash your mind out with a strong, effective soap, pick up a copy of Mary Daly's Gyn/Ecology.
Labels: documentary1, shared-favorite, spiritual1, super-hero2
