PMID: 2096944Jan 1, 1990Paper

The ethics of heroism in medieval and American Indian tales

American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research : the Journal of the National Center
A Scott

Abstract

Oral-traditional stories detail their heroes' growth through a narrative pattern of exile and return that places the heroes in situations repeatedly challenging their strength and resolve. Through the motif of the quest, medieval and American Indian tales alike reaffirm general psychological truths that bear upon our understanding of human nature. Stories about heroes are stories about us: about our desires to grow up, to defeat death, to prove ourselves in difficult situations, and to achieve recognition or admiration among our peers (Becker, 1973, p. 4). In this way, medieval and American Indian tales are about self-actualization. They maintain that "one has within oneself proclivity toward growth and unity of personality ... and an automatic thrust toward expression" of these qualities (Yalom, 1980, p. 9). All forms of literature, however, reflect ideas peculiar to their cultures. The ways in which these basic human truths are represented in medieval and American Indian tales suggest the differing religious or social concerns that have informed these truths and have given them shape. To a large degree, the medieval knight's view of "self" and "other" encompasses the view that Western humanity has had (and continues to have) ...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 18, 2004·Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology·Kimberly F BalsamKarina L Walters
Oct 26, 1999·The Diabetes Educator·J S CarterS S Gilliland

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