Old Age in Myth and Symbol: A Cultural Dictionary

(Hardback)

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Design as a resource for artists, writers, and behavioural scientists, this compilation of the myths and symbols of old age lists more than 400 entries ranging from Abraham and Acacia to Zorya and Zurvan. Coverage includes traditional mythical figures, literary characters, the symbolic attributes of old age such as time measurement and musical instruments, animals associated with ageing, objects, types of locations, and more. The result of four years' research in a variety of sources, the book reports on the use of such symbols in art, literature, and popular culture providing comprehensive coverage of myths and symbols of old age in one volume. Entries are arranged alphabetically and include short citations indicating the sources used to compile the entry. A complete bibliography listing the full titles of all sources is also included to help readers who wish further information on a particular subject. Cross-references are used throughout to highlight related entries.

Reviews

This very specialized volume defines 420 terms related to the myths and symbols of old age. Arranged in alphabetical order from "Abraham" through "ivory" and "Mother Goose" to "Zurvan," the definitions range in length from one sentence to one and a half pages. The entries include mythical and literary figures, symbols and attributes of old age, and terms related to both the passage of time and aging itself. Citations to the sources of information are included in each entry, and a bibliography of these sources follows the main section. Cross-references to other entries are noted within the texts of the definitions. The list of entries is necessarily selective, but the inclusion of "grey" but not "wrinkled" is curious. McLerran, an art critic and painter, and McKee (philosophy, Colorado State University) write clearly and bring together an array of intriguing if sometimes fragmentary information. However, this will be of interest primarily to libraries with a focus in this subject.-Choice
"This very specialized volume defines 420 terms related to the myths and symbols of old age. Arranged in alphabetical order from "Abraham" through "ivory" and "Mother Goose" to "Zurvan," the definitions range in length from one sentence to one and a half pages. The entries include mythical and literary figures, symbols and attributes of old age, and terms related to both the passage of time and aging itself. Citations to the sources of information are included in each entry, and a bibliography of these sources follows the main section. Cross-references to other entries are noted within the texts of the definitions. The list of entries is necessarily selective, but the inclusion of "grey" but not "wrinkled" is curious. McLerran, an art critic and painter, and McKee (philosophy, Colorado State University) write clearly and bring together an array of intriguing if sometimes fragmentary information. However, this will be of interest primarily to libraries with a focus in this subject."-Choice

Author Bio

JENNIFER McLERRAN is an art critic and painter in Seattle, Washington. She received her Master of Fine Arts from Colorado State University and a Master of Humanities from the University of Colorado. PATRICK McKEE is Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Colorado State University.