Myth Theory and Structuralism —A Study of Lévi- Strauss’s mythological Research from Myth and Meaning

Abstract

Myth as a cultural phenomenon, reflects a period of human civilization development and change track. Under the influence of Marxist theory and psychoanalysis in his early years, Lévi-Strauss believed that the study of myth not only extended space as the main line and supplemented the early history which emphasized the dimension of time, but also explored the significance of “naturalizing man” in cultural studies. This paper discusses Lévi- Strauss’s views on the relationship between myth and science, myth and history, myth and music, as well as structuralism in his book myth and meaning, and discusses his understanding of self and existence in the study of myth.