Charismatic Appeal for Myth Lovers

Charisma and Myth combines an interdisciplinary examination of myth with the newest developments in the application of charisma theory to history and social life. This innovative study argues that the survival of myth systems mirrors the survival of such charismatic groups as modern street gangs, the Anglo-Saxon comitatus, or Satan's fallen angels in Paradise Lost. Even the smallest charismatic group generates its own set of myths, and, like larger myth systems, depends on continual revolutionary change - not on the stability of its myths - to survive and to achieve longevity.

Through scores of examples ranging from Inuit myth to Christian theology, from Malinowski to martyrology, the authors demonstrate that group leaders must learn first to foster and then to manage the mild chaos and changing symbols of their myths. Charisma and Myth challenges myth theorists from the nineteenth through to the twenty-first century and adds a missing component to our understanding of how and why myths continue to grip our imaginations.

The book's central thesis is that the longevity of myth systems is dependent on the same factors that sustain charismatic groups. Like these groups, myths require ongoing transformation and the ability to adapt to changing social and cultural circumstances. The authors argue that the stability of myths is not the key to their endurance; rather, it is their capacity for continual reinvention and the charismatic leadership that drives this process.

Through a wide-ranging analysis of diverse mythological traditions, the authors show how the creation and perpetuation of myths are intrinsically linked to the dynamics of charismatic leadership and group cohesion. They explore how the leaders of charismatic groups, whether religious, political, or social, must constantly work to generate new symbols, narratives, and rituals to maintain the loyalty and enthusiasm of their followers.

Charisma and Myth makes a compelling case that the study of myth cannot be separated from the study of charisma and social change. By bridging the gap between these domains, the book offers a fresh perspective on the enduring power of myth and its central role in shaping human societies, both past and present. The authors' interdisciplinary approach, drawing on fields such as anthropology, sociology, and literary studies, provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between myth, charisma, and social dynamics.

Overall, Charisma and Myth is a groundbreaking work that challenges conventional wisdom and offers new insights into the resilience and adaptability of mythological narratives. It will be of interest to scholars and students across the humanities and social sciences, as well as to general readers interested in the continued relevance of myth in the modern world.

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