Cultural Implications of Myths in Paulo Coelho's The Pilgrimage

Abstract

This research tries to map the relation between an individual and tradition, especially at a time when tradition has seemingly fallen into disuse at the hand of the younger generations. The research studies the story of Paulo Coelho, who in the initial phase of his life drifts away from the ways of his ancestors, and later returns to the same tradition to seek clues to success in life. He is required to win a sword for success, for which, he takes up a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. His decision refers simultaneously to culture, myth and several rituals his ancestors teach him as a member of the society. Therefore, this research studies his action in relation with the impact of myth and culture upon an individual. For doing so, the research has used different aspects of myth criticism, including archetypal criticism, and ideas have been drawn from scholars like Levi Strauss, Northrop Frye, Joseph Campbell and Carl Gustav Young to explain how myths, archetypal images and traditions exert impact on the life of an individual.