Myths in Modern Books

When an author mentions a person, place, or event from a myth in a modern story, it is called an allusion. Authors don't just copy-paste; they use these references like 'secret ingredients' to give their story more flavor. For example, if a character has a 'Midas touch' in business, the author is alluding to King Midas, who turned everything to gold. By using an allusion, the author tells you a lot about a character without needing a long description. It creates a bridge between the ancient world and our modern world, making the story feel deeper and more meaningful.

Why do so many stories feel familiar? It is because authors use archetypes. An archetype is a 'blueprint' for a character that appears in myths across many different cultures. Common archetypes include the Hero, the Wise Mentor, and the Trickster. Think of it like a story equation: $Hero + Quest = Adventure$. By using these blueprints, authors tap into 'Universal Truths'—feelings and experiences that humans have shared for thousands of years, like the fear of failure or the power of friendship.

Authors often change the setting or the gender of mythological figures to make them feel fresh. This is called subverting expectations. If an author takes a myth about a scary monster and turns that monster into a misunderstood hero, they are asking the reader to look at the world differently. This 'remixing' allows us to explore modern problems—like technology or social justice—using the familiar framework of an old legend. It is like putting new software on an old computer; the system is familiar, but the experience is totally new.