Re: Myth & Mystique

[Dan Forant Sr <dforant1@nycap.rr.com>]

One more try, nothing else to do. A myth is fictional. The Celtic Mystique
led to the myth that there were Celtic Leprechauns in the Garden for
example. That just putting on green uniform would work. It was talent that
led to the Mystique. Going back to the original thread, do we want choir
boys or basketball players?
At 11:56 AM 6/23/99 -0600, you wrote:
>I prefer the term "myth" because it has classical connotations and can
>provide a helpful picture or image of a person, group, family, or
>nation.  A myth is a model, a way of understanding, a symbol for
>something that is itself involved in defining the person or group. 
>Thus, the "myth of the eternal return," one of antiquities oldest
>stories, teaches followers that their hero or champion or saviour will
>come again is some particular form to initiate a golden age.  A myth
>may be based on true or imagined stories, actual or glorified
>happenings, but it is a part of the definition of the group that
>honors it, nonetheless.
>
>So, in religion, the mythical setting in the Garden of Eden may or
>may not be based on a literal garden or an original pair, but it has
>meaning and power to define certain important beliefs about creation,
>etc.
>
>So, in politics, the myth of the fat-cat Republicans or the bleeding
>heart Democrats may flow from actual or imagined facts; still, they
>are powerful symbols or myths that help define the parties.
>
>And, in basketball, the myth of "showtime" is a part of Laker lore. 
>To play like the Spurs or the Cavaliers would not evoke the mythical
>image of what most defines the greatness of a Laker team.  To me, the
>Celtics have several mythical images that are important to their fans:
> the fast-break, passing game, team-work image--as in the Celtics
>taught the world how to play the game--and the leprechaun myth--that
>somehow, in the big game, the Celtics are going to find a way to beat
>you; it's part of their mystique.
>
>I am a believer in the power of myth.  It defines, it energizes, it
>gives hope.  I do believe we taught the world how to play the game and
>I believe, when we get there again, we will find a way to win it all
>again.  Have we fallen on hard times?  Of course, and that causes many
>to question whether the old myths still have relevance to the present.
> They can, and they are also the invigorating elements that kindle the
>resurgence of that old flame.  Look at what the presence of Russell
>did this past season.  He embodied the myth.  Supposedly, the Celtics
>can rise over the other pretenders precisely because we have a pattern
>to follow or an image to live up to.  In baseball, it's image is the
>Yankee pinstripes.
>
>Now, for those of you, my esteemed list friends, who think the
>foregoing is just a bunch of hooey, who scrolled to the end just to
>see who wrote this garbage, who only want to see November
>come--tomorrow wouldn't be soon enough--I'm with you.  Let's get this
>summer over with!
>
>Gene
>
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