On Myth Criticism

Our study object is Northrop Frye's works and collections. Applying the method of study which pays equal attention to history and logic while giving advantage or preference to history, we would elaborate Northrop Frye's critical theory who was the most important representative of myth criticism in the thesis. In a word, our conclusions would be made from the materials relating to the topic. Furthermore, we would re-examine myth criticism which was once equal to psychological and psychoanalytic criticism and Marxist criticism.Myth has become an elastic band forever for it has close relations with literature and arts. What relations there are among the myth, the living and the life has made myth criticism towards the criticism about living and the criticism about life possible. Meanwhile, myth criticism attaches importance to the whole literature and macrocosm, so it takes on three-dimensional characters. There being similarities between myth criticism and Chinese traditional thinking that is circular, myth criticism towards circular criticism will be made potentially possible, which is recognized as the criticism about life. Therefore, it is a fundamental reason for myth criticism to continue like a myth, and it is an ideal approach for myth criticism to be localized too.The first chapter will make the meaning and borderline of Frye's myth clear, and focus on the significance of myth nowadays. In the second chapter we would discuss Frye's critical concept, that is to say, Frye emphasizes the knowledge system of criticism, the double vision and independency of criticism. The third chapter will dredge up the origins of critical theory in order to prepare for the next chapter which will influence the aesthetic dimensions. After that, we would discuss the aesthetic dimensions, elaborating aesthetic potentiality from narrative and plot, furthering to investigate the living dimensions of myth criticism from the social functions. Moreover, we would construct the new critical poetics that is life poetics because of the similarities between them. We look forwards to a new criticism named circular criticism. We believe that only if we explore the...