Post for Monday, October 25

Hello All,

As we discussed with the Eliade PowerPoints, focus on the ideas and concepts of The Myth of the Eternal Return, and don't get distracted by his allusions and references to specific religious and mythological figures. His core argument is that societies and individuals repeat the patterns (consciously or unconsciously), so the patterns themselves are what will be important to us.

In terms of those archetypal patterns, here are the concepts most important to Eliade's analysis of the Eternal Return:

The Center
The Road to the Center
Sacred vs. Profane Time and Space

Abolition of Past Time
Restoration of Primordial Chaos (Invasion of the Dead, Abolition of Norms, Sexual Excess, Indeterminate Unity)
Repetition of the Cosmogonic Act (Rekindling of the Fire, Ritual Combat, Erotic Element)

For Monday's post, choose one of these concepts, and explain (in a short paragraph) how that concept relates to J. Lisa Chang and Newton Thomas Siegel's short film, The Big Empty.

Post for October 18

Hello All,

For Monday's post, just find one quote from Eliade pages 49-92 that you find meaningful or thought-provoking.

1. Provide the quote.
2. Explain what it means.