Reading Amerindian Myths: A Consideration of Levi-Strauss' Mythological Studies in the 1950s

KONDO Hiroshi
Abstract:
In this note, I consider a group of theses on myths written by Levi-Strauss during the 1950s, when he developed his original way of reading myths. In order to clarify what Levi-Strauss did during the 1950s, I first briefly summarize the comparative study of myths by Boas. Both shared a similar image of Amerindian Myths, which shows the complex inter-relation between the myths. In Levi-Strauss' works, we can see the influence of the Boas comparative study, but what each found in the myths was completely different. These are the reasons I mention Boas in considering Levi-Strauss.

Boas labeled the complex interrelations of myths as the disseminations of myths. In his comparative study, Boas mainly focused on not the analogies but the differences between myths. This focus enabled him to define the appropriate geographical areas for comparing myths. Having developed his study, he found that the differences between myths corresponded to the differences of cultures.

Levi-Strauss was inspired by Boas' work, and followed the primary rule for reading myths which Boas practiced. However, contrary to Boas, Levi-Strauss understood the interrelations of myths as transformations, which means Levi-Strauss read myths at a different level. And he found that the transformations of myths transcend the geographical areas drawn by Boas.


Keywords: myth, transformation, concrete logic, code, dissemination