The Myths and Fables of To-Day

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Drake, Samuel Adams, 1833-1905

Contributor:

Merrill, Frank T., 1848-1923

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Other Title:

The Myths and Fables of Today

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Myths and Fables of To-Day" by Samuel Adams Drake is a historical collection focused on contemporary superstitions and their origins, written in the late 19th century. The book explores the persistence and influence of mythology and superstition in modern life, examining cultural practices and beliefs that have been passed down through generations. The opening portion sets the stage for a compelling analysis of how deeply ingrained superstitions continue to shape human behavior and consciousness. At the start of the text, Drake engages readers with a discussion of superstition as a constant presence in human history, arguing that it remains influential even in an enlightened age. He challenges the notion that superstition is solely a relic of the past, illustrating its continued relevance through examples from folklore, childhood stories, and rituals. By invoking significant cultural references, he highlights how common practices, like the celebration of Christmas and the telling of nursery tales, provide insight into the enduring nature of myth and the human penchant for the supernatural. This opening establishes a thought-provoking premise, inviting readers to reconsider the myths that persist in their own lives. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

A reckoning with time

The folk-lore of childhood

Weather lore

Signs of all sorts

Charms to good luck

Charms against disease

Of fate in jewels

Of love and marriage

Of evil omens

Of haunted houses, persons, and places

Of presentiments

The divining-rod

Wonders of the physical universe

"ships that pass in the night"

Fortune-telling, astrology, and palmistry.

Credits:

E-text prepared by Greg Bergquist, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries (https://archive.org/details/americana)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 63.6 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2013-11-14