"Memory is the mother of culture" (Atkinson, 1995: 21), each time a story is told from memory, culture is reborn. The American Indians told their children stories when they did wrong in order to show them the right way, instead of punishment. "A myth is a story that is make believe on the outside, but true on the inside" (Atkinson, 1995: 22).
The eduring elements of sacred stories include:
- Metaphor & symbol: "A metaphor conveys an important message through the mask of comparrison" (Atkinson, 1995: 23) of two previously unconnected ideas and gives much greater meaning. A symbol binds two aspects together.
- Archetype & Motif: "an archetype is the mold from which all other things of the same type are made" (Atkinson, 1995: 25); a pattern from which related ideas are derived; and a major element of common human experience. A motif, by contrast is a minor element of human experience. Both are recurring.
- Pattern & repitition: A pattern is a predictable model repeatedly followed/used.Traditional rites of passage entail separation-initiation-return / birth-death-rebirth. "Repetiton is the midwife to culture" (Atkinson, 1995: 26), in that it serves as an aid to memory.
Atkinson, R. 1995. The gift of stories — practical and spiritual applications of autobiography, life stories and personal mythmaking. Westport, Conn.: Bergin & Garvey.
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