The Chapter on "Myths" is by far the most intriguing subject we have covered. I find it so interesting because myths are what shape our culture. From the time that we are little children we are told stories of mythical people and creatures in order to teach us lessons. As adults, we learn different stories of mythical creatures to help explain the mysteries of life and the afterlife. Depending on our culture and time period, we put all of our beliefs into these myths as if they were truth. In religion, it is the myths that drive the beliefs. The stories and how they are interpreted are what determine the morals and beliefs of the religion. I find these things so interesting because the explanations that people have for events in life are always so outrageous and almost unbelievable.
             In the first section, the authors discuss fairy tales and the hidden prejudices that can be found within the stories. Growing up I loved listening to my mother tell me stories of beautiful girls that had to escape the evils of a witch, only to be saved by a handsome prince. Then as I grew up I learned that these stories were filled with predjudices towards women and stereotypes that can be harmful to little girls and boys. "Modern interpreters of fairy tales point to early misconceptions and warped expectations that children derive from fairy tales." Although, we can look at these stories and criticize them for their stereotypes and speculate on the damage that they can do to children's self conceptions, we have to remember that they are just stories. I am usually the first to criticize images in society that contribute to stereotypes, but I think that how children take these stories is dependent on what the parents do and what they teach the child. I loved these stories as a child, but because my mother always projected the image of a self-reliant, female I never fell into these conceptions of what a female should be. On the ot...