Resumen

LOPEZ DE D'AMICO, Rosa. The mythological approach for the analysis of literary works and its applicability in the educational context. Investigación y Postgrado [online]. 2007, vol.22, n.2, pp.259-294. ISSN 2244-7474.

The present work finds support on documentary research as well on experience gained during the search for solutions to the problems raised in the context of teaching literature in English. It focuses on the mythological approach and its use in literary analysis. The report contains five sections. The first section is related to mythology as a starting point for the comprehension of myth. The second section defines myth and its occurrence in literature. The third part presents the archetypical approach, its origins and the theories that support it, as well as different archetypes found in literary works. The fourth section exemplifies relations and applications of the mythological approach and makes reference to outstanding critics who, with their analyses, have demonstrated the validly and universality of the approach. Also, four analyses are developed in order to show its practical application. The final section allows us to transfer experience through a practical demonstration of the use of the mythological approach by presenting two class plans, whose exercises contribute to demonstrate the validity and feasibility of application of the mythological approach for the study of literature. Finally, conclusions are led to project the benefits of the mythological approach, foregrounding its advantages and its great usefulness in both language teaching and learning and the process of transmitting society’s cultural background to future generations.

Palabras clave : teaching literature in english; mythological approach.