Skyline College Library

Myths, Symbols & Heroes in Literature Research Links

TOPIC #1: Analyze the myths of a particular culture
TOPIC #2: Explore the meanings of a symbol
TOPIC #3: A hero’s journey / a journey towards enlightenment

TOPIC #1: Analyze the myths of a particular culture

1) To find a primary source: (for this assignment, this means the text of a myth or tale)

A. Use the PLS Online Catalog (the online catalog for books in Skyline Library and in all libraries in the Peninsula Library System.)
- Click on the link above to access the catalog
- Enter your search words in the search boxes (see example below)
- To limit your results to books at Skyline College Library:
- In the Limit to: Location: pull-down menu (below search boxes), select: Skyline College
- Click the Submit button.

Sample search (use Advanced Search mode):
(myth* OR legend* OR tales OR folk*) AND
(ireland OR irish)

You can also browse the books under the two series titles:
“Myths of the World”

“World Folklore Series”

B) Suggested print anthologies:

Folklore, Myths, and Legends: A World Perspective
GR76.R665 1997

The World of Myth: An Anthology
BL311.L328 1990
(A collection of myths from around the world: creation, flood, afterlife, heroes, gods, etc.)

C) Suggested websites:

Folklore and Mythology Electronic Texts

Encyclopedia Mythica

Bulfinch’s Mythology

Folklinks: Folk and Fairy-Tale Sites

In Search of Myths and Heroes

American Myths and Legends

Open Directory Links to Myths and Folktales

Internet Sacred Text Archive

2) To find secondary sources about the culture itself:

A) Use the PLS Online Catalog:

Sample search (use Advanced Search mode):
(culture* OR custom* OR civilization) AND
(Ireland OR irish)

B) Researching Cultures (Skyline Library subject guide)

Country Studies: Description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world, from the Library of Congress.

Country Watch - on-campus OR off-campus with library card: Political, economic, and business information on any country.

and these print works:

CultureGrams REF and CIRC: GT150.C85  (4 vols.)

Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life REF GN333.W67

The Mythology of All Races BL25.M8 (13 volumes): Greek, Roman, Eddic, Celtic, Slavic, Finno-Ugric, Siberian, Semitic, Indian, Iranian, Armenian, African, Chinese, Japanese, Oceanic, North American, Latin-American, Egyptian, Indo-Chinese; index to all volumes

TOPIC #2: Explore the meanings of a symbol

1) REFERENCE books:

Symbols and Their Meanings REF AZ108.T74 2000 
The Illustrated Book of Signs and Symbols REF AZ108.B78 1996 
A Dictionary of Symbols REF BF1623.S9.C513
1000 Symbols REF N7740.S54 2002 
Dictionary of Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Traditional Images, Icons, and Emblems REF GR931.T74    
Man, Myth and Magic REF BF1411.M25 (25 vols.)
Larousse World Mythology BL311.G683 (REF and Circ collection)

The Dictionary of World Myth REF BL303.D46
Myths and Legends REF GR74.M97

Storytelling Encyclopedia: Historical, Cultural, and Multiethnic Approaches to Oral Traditions Around the World REF GR72.S76
Medieval Folklore REF GR35.M43 (2 vols.)
Larousse Dictionary of World Folklore REF GR35.J664

CIRCULATING books:

The Mythology of All Races BL25.M8 (13 volumes): Greek, Roman, Eddic, Celtic, Slavic, Finno-Ugric, Siberian, Semitic, Indian, Iranian, Armenian, African, Chinese, Japanese, Oceanic, North American, Latin-American, Egyptian, Indo-Chinese; index to all volumes

2 Find articles using either the

EbscoHost databases – on campus or off-campus w/ library card - Database of articles from academic journals, magazines, newspapers & other published sources in all subject areas.

Gale PowerSearch database – on campus or off-campus w/ library card - Database of articles from journals, magazines & newspapers

Sample search (use Advanced Search mode):

dragon AND
myth* OR meaning OR symbol*

3 Suggested websites:

Encyclopedia Mythica

Dictionary of Symbolism

TOPIC #3: A hero’s journey / a journey towards enlightenment

1) To find secondary sources:

a) Literary criticism:

Use the PLS Online Catalog:
Sample searches:

1) “catcher in the rye” AND interpretation
2) hemingway AND interpretation

Gale Literature Resource Center - on campus or off-campus w/ library card - Database of quality literary criticism articles & biographical info on authors

Note: When results for a search are first displayed, only biographical articles are listed.
Click on the "Literary Criticism, Articles & Work Overviews" tab for more extensive lists of articles; then click on the "Articles" & "Work Overview" tabs for additional articles.

b) Biographical sources:

-- PLS Online Catalog (search the author’s name as a subject)
-- Gale Biography in Context - on campus or off-campus w/ library card - Database of biographical articles on famous people.
-- Gale Literature Resource Center

c) Background perspectives

-- PLS Online Catalog (see sample searches above)
-- Literature and its Times : Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events that Influenced Them REF/PN50.L574 1997 (5 vols.)
-- The Oxford Companion to English Literature REF/PR19.D73 2000

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Compiled by Dennis Wolbers October 2006 last revised: 4-9-12 by Eric Brenner, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA