Joseph Campbell And The Power Of Myth: The First Storytellers

Filmed over a three year period just prior to Campbell's death in 1987, this six-part PBS series has enjoyed amazing popularity, and the companion book is on many high demand lists in libraries across the country. In The First Storytellers, the third tape in the series, Campbell talks to interviewer Bill Moyer about the loss of ritual which has resulted in a present day depletion of the human spirit. Using the Lascaux cave paintings as a starting point, Campbell discusses the importance of ritual in hunter/gatherer societies, and points out how early man had respect for the animals he killed, and always made rituals of appeasement to the animal's spirit-the myth thereby cleansing the guilt. Today, says Campbell, we no longer have a "thou" relationship with the animals we kill (or even many of the people); we have an "it" relationship. In addition to the provocative discussion of the role of ritual in society, Campbell discusses the importance of accepting death as rebirth (the story of Christ), and the early role of Shamans in primitive societies. Making the connection to our present society explicit, Campbell says that the loss of ritual and myth can be seen merely by picking up the New York Times. The young no longer undergo adolescent rites of passage-without this necessary psychological stage, they are anchorless; flaunting authority, committing unspeakable crimes, etc. Powerful, thought-provoking material, from a man who is responsible for the lion's share of our current understanding of world mythology. Highly recommended. (See DAVID, MOFFETTE, & ORNETTEfor availability.)