Demeter and Persephone : lessons from a myth / Tamara Agha-Jaffar.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Agha-Jaffar, Tamara, 1952-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Demeter (Greek deity).

Demeter.

Persephone (Greek deity).

Persephone.

Physical Description:

xv, 195 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Co., [2002]

Summary:

This work demonstrates 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 follow the text.

Contents:

Chapter 1 The Story 7

Chapter 2 Demeter: Grieving, Retaliation, and Reconciliation 14

Chapter 3 Persephone: Moving Beyond Victimization 36

Chapter 4 A Narcissus, a Veil, and a Pomegranate 56

Chapter 5 Female Mentoring 73

Chapter 6 Zeus and Helios: Male Power and Masculinities 97

Chapter 7 The Underworld and Hades: Death, Transformation, and Rebirth 115

Chapter 8 Rape 135

Chapter 9 Unraveling the Mysteries: Guidelines for Healing and Knowledge 149

Afterword: One Day in a Life 158

Appendix The Homeric Hymn to Demeter / translated by Helene P. Foley 173.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 187-192) and index.

ISBN:

0786413433

OCLC:

50144029