Explore the ancient motif of a father and son duel across cultures and time.
The book analyzes the epic theme of a combat between parent and child, tracing its genesis and how it travels through world literature and popular tradition. It offers a clear, readable look at how this dramatic clash appears in myths, ballads, and legends, shaping story and moral questions.
In focused chapters, the work surveys examples from Greek, Gypsy, Arawak, Indian, and other traditions. It considers how audiences understood temporary marriages, lineage, and kinship, and why the father–son confrontation resonates so deeply in many cultures. The study also discusses whether similar tales arose independently or spread through contact and borrowing, staying grounded in the texts themselves.
- Clear, cross‑cultural analysis of the father–son combat in epic and folk narratives
- Discussion of kinship, lineage, and shifting social structures across societies
- Use of concrete examples from myths, ballads, and legends to illustrate themes
- Engaging look at how storytelling evolves and travels through time
Ideal for readers of myth, folklore, and literary history who want a thorough, accessible examination of a persistent epic motif.