Myth

As explained by Haviland, “the word myth, in popular usage, refers to something that is widely believed to be true but probably is not” (729). Myths are used by some cultures to explain their existence. Myths also provide “rationale for religious beliefs and practices” (Haviland 729). A myth is some kind of interpretation of the world by a person or a culture that truly believe in it. Kirszner and Mandell write that myths often involve gods and heroes (1805).

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Literary Terms

Works Cited

• Haviland, William. Anthropology. 9th ed. Orlando: Harcourt College Publishers, 2000.
• Kirszner, Laurie and Mandell, Stephen. Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing. 2nd ed. Orlando: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1994.