Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) was never more insightful and intriguing than when he discussed mythology. The key to understanding the Jungian approach to mythology lies in the concept of the image, which provides the basis for his theory of the unconscious. By emphasizing the image over the word, Jungian psychology distinguishes itself dramatically from Freudian, Lacanian, and other psychologies that stress the task of interpreting the language- the words- of the unconscious.
In Jung and the Jungians on Myth , Steven Walker carefully leads the reader through the essential lines of thought in Jungian psychology before developing his method for using Jungian ideas to approach mythological texts. Whether one is sympathetic toward Jung's ideas or critical of them, one will find in Walker's discussion a lucid introduction to Jungian perspectives on myth and psychology.
Biography
Steven Walker is Professor of Comparative Literature at Rutgers University.
"This is an admirably clear and informative book. In the space of just 198 pages Walker conveys the essence of the Jungian theory of myth and shows its applicability within a wide range of cultural contexts..." -- Method & Theory in the Study of Religion
"Walker demonstrates that the Jungian reading of narrative, whether myth or drea, is highly contextualized...we discover in this study a Jung who is alert to the history he is living through." -- Religious Studies Reivew
