A fast favorite for students of myth studies
The greater body of this work, presented as a collaboration between Dr. Jung and Dr. Kerenyi, is divided into four distinct sections following an introductory prolegomena and followed by a conclusionary epilegomena. The first section, covered by Dr. Kerenyi, cites nine fairly detailed examples of how "the primordial child in primordial times" was manifested in multiple semi and fully divine characters from antiquity. The second section, covered by Dr. Jung, explains "the psychology of the child archetype" through insight gathered from history, literature, sociology and Dr. Jung's endeavors in the field of psychoanalysis. The third section, covered by Dr. Kerenyi, details the "kore" with all of its consequential complexities as a mythological paradox. The fourth section, covered by Dr. Jung, attempts to elucidate "the psychological aspects of the kore" with examples he has taken from three different but archetypally identical dreams described to him by three of his patients. For the conclusionary epilegomena, Dr. Kerenyi explains to the reader that, eventhough Dr. Jung's insight into the psychological mechanics of myth does provide a certain degree of substantiation for the authority of myth, it can by no means be considered the last word. Mysteries and miracles like those of Eleucis are not necessarily of interest for the peculiar curiosities they seem to highlight, they are of interest for the insight into our shared experience that they permit us. The infinite pluralities masquerading as singularities that abound in our psychic reality, should be respected and appreciated for their consistency.
