Sustaining the imaginative life : mythology and fantasy in Neil Gaiman’s American gods
Date
2006-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
This examination of “American gods” argues that mythology is
the bedrock for creative and poetic expression in literature that
explores and comments on the universality of contemporary
human concerns in a world where the spiritual link with the gods
has largely been severed and belief systems have mostly lost
their meaning.
The discussion investigates and identifies the significance of
shamanic properties and practices as elements which aid the
protagonist Shadow Moon in his journey of self-discovery, and
illustrates that the novel’s mythification represents an attempt to
“reach below the surface of modern superficialities and reconnect
with something old and mysterious within the depths of
our soul” (Freke, 1999:6). Gaiman’s unique style in conveying
tales that have fashioned the past, the manner in which he
evokes the meeting-place of science, fantasy, myth, and magic,
and the synthesis he fashions between the ancient and the
modern illustrate that the imaginative life is sustained by the
incorporation of mythical motifs as creative device. The
blending of mythical elements in “American gods” and its
restorative project of putting the reader in touch with the
profound inner spiritual world validate investigation.
Description
CITATION: Slabbert, M. & Viljoen, L. 2006. Sustaining the imaginative life : mythology and fantasy in Neil Gaiman’s American gods. Literator, 27(3): 135-156, doi: 10.4102/lit.v27i3.204.
The original publication is available at http://literator.org.za
The original publication is available at http://literator.org.za
Keywords
Gaiman, Neil -- Criticism and interpretation, Imaginative life, Mythology in literature -- Criticism and interpretation, Gaiman, Neil. American gods
Citation
Slabbert, M. & Viljoen, L. 2006. Sustaining the imaginative life : mythology and fantasy in Neil Gaiman’s American gods. Literator, 27(3): 135-156, doi: 10.4102/lit.v27i3.204