Myth and Meaning: Cracking the Code of Culture

by Claude Lévi-Strauss

Why do myths exist? What hidden structures shape the stories we tell? In Myth and Meaning, legendary anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss explores how mythology is not just ancient storytelling but a coded system of human thought. Drawing from his groundbreaking work in structural anthropology, Lévi-Strauss reveals how myths reflect deep patterns in the human mind, shaping cultures and influencing the way we perceive reality. Through a series of insightful essays, he examines the role of science and myth, the function of tricksters like Sun Wukong, and the surprising connections between ancient tales and modern thought. Compact yet profound, Myth and Meaning is an essential read for anyone interested in how stories shape our understanding of the world.