Mythological Analysis of the Film Interstellar

Mythological Analysis of the Film Interstellar
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October 4, 2020
Media Piece:Interstellar (2014)
The function of Myth:Cosmological
Analysis:
Popular myth theorist Joseph Campbell explains that myths serve a deeper purpose than just being a fancy story. Campbell observes that myths elicit wonder, fascination, introspection, and a way for human beings and societies to explain, introspect, and reflect on narratives. Myths serve as a vehicle to convey lessons, morals, and customs to those who read or experience them.
Campbell is famous for his work on the four functions of myth. He says that there are four main functions of mythology, each place in different spheres of a person's life.
First, the metaphysical function, relating to the universe, which is meant to "evoke in the individual a sense of grateful, affirmative awe before the monstrous mystery that is existence" (Campbell, 2004).
Second, the cosmological function, relating to the world, "presents an image of the cosmos, an image of the universe roundabout," meant to maintain and foster this sense of awe that is drawn from the metaphysical function. Cumulatively with the previous function, the cosmological function titillates the awe and wonder inside a person. Conversely, the cosmological function is more concrete, dealing with discernible real-life events, whereas the metaphysical function goes beyond the five senses (Campbell, 2004).
Third, the sociological function, relating to society, is that function of mythology, which explains, dissects, or reinforces the established standards and norms which society depends on today. In the sociological function, myths wrestle with concepts of right or wrong according to values temporally specific or to universal standards such as the value of life (Campbell, 2004).
Fourth, the psychological function, relating to the self, is the function of mythology, which unravels and sheds light on the different stages of a person's life, from birth to death, from the womb to the tomb. The psychological functions help put into perspective the changes, challenges, losses, responsibilities, and realizations a person experiences throughout different life stages. In a way, it is an awe of the self, a wonder into introspection, a reflection one years that have p...