Demeter and Persephone: Lessons from a Myth

The classical Greek myth of Demeter and her daughter Persephone as told in Homer's Hymn to Demeter has been used most often to explain the cycle of the seasons. However, a closer examination will reveal insights on living and dying, loss and reconciliation, and suffering and healing.

This work demostrates the continued importance and relevance of the myth of Demeter and Persephone to today's society. The first three chapters provide a summary of the Homeric story and examine the myth from the perspectives of the mother and daughter.

The following chapters discuss the symbolism of critical objects, the role of female mentoring, the role of Hades and the meaning of the underworld, the subject of rape, and the masculinist perspective presented by Zeus and Helios, and derive lessons useful for healing and knowledge. The Hymn to Demeter as translated by Helene Foley is included as an appendix in order to provide a basis for the discussion in the text. Notes and a bibliography also follow the text.

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Demeter and Persephone: Lessons from a Myth

The classical Greek myth of Demeter and her daughter Persephone as told in Homer's Hymn to Demeter has been used most often to explain the cycle of the seasons. However, a closer examination will reveal insights on living and dying, loss and reconciliation, and suffering and healing.

This work demostrates the continued importance and relevance of the myth of Demeter and Persephone to today's society. The first three chapters provide a summary of the Homeric story and examine the myth from the perspectives of the mother and daughter.

The following chapters discuss the symbolism of critical objects, the role of female mentoring, the role of Hades and the meaning of the underworld, the subject of rape, and the masculinist perspective presented by Zeus and Helios, and derive lessons useful for healing and knowledge. The Hymn to Demeter as translated by Helene Foley is included as an appendix in order to provide a basis for the discussion in the text. Notes and a bibliography also follow the text.

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Demeter and Persephone: Lessons from a Myth

Demeter and Persephone: Lessons from a Myth

by Tamara Agha-Jaffar
Demeter and Persephone: Lessons from a Myth

Demeter and Persephone: Lessons from a Myth

by Tamara Agha-Jaffar

Paperback(New Edition)

$29.95 
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Overview

The classical Greek myth of Demeter and her daughter Persephone as told in Homer's Hymn to Demeter has been used most often to explain the cycle of the seasons. However, a closer examination will reveal insights on living and dying, loss and reconciliation, and suffering and healing.

This work demostrates the continued importance and relevance of the myth of Demeter and Persephone to today's society. The first three chapters provide a summary of the Homeric story and examine the myth from the perspectives of the mother and daughter.

The following chapters discuss the symbolism of critical objects, the role of female mentoring, the role of Hades and the meaning of the underworld, the subject of rape, and the masculinist perspective presented by Zeus and Helios, and derive lessons useful for healing and knowledge. The Hymn to Demeter as translated by Helene Foley is included as an appendix in order to provide a basis for the discussion in the text. Notes and a bibliography also follow the text.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786413430
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 09/26/2002
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 211
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.42(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Tamara Agha-Jaffar is a professor of English at Kansas City (Kansas) Community College where she founded the women’s studies program. She lives in Overland Park, Kansas.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments    
Cast of Characters     xiii
Introduction    

1 The Story    
2 Demeter: Grieving, Retaliation, and Reconciliation    
3 Persephone: Moving Beyond Victimization     
4 A Narcissus, a Veil, and a Pomegranate    
5 Female Mentoring    
6 Zeus and Helios: Male Power and Masculinities    
7 The Underworld and Hades: Death, Transformation, and Rebirth     
8 Rape    
9 Unraveling the Mysteries: Guidelines for Healing and Knowledge     
10 One Day in a Life    

Notes    
Appendix    
Bibliography    
Index    
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