Mythscapes: memory, mythology, and national identity.

Full Abstract

In this paper I seek to challenge the dominant modes of conceiving the relationship between memory and national identity, and in so doing offer analysts of nationalism an improved understanding of the dynamics of national identity formation. The concept of collective memory is invoked regularly in attempts to explain the pervasiveness and power of nationalism. I argue that the concept is misused routinely in this context, and instead I employ a 'social agency' approach to theorizing, whereby memory is conceived in a more limited and cogent manner. I argue that it is important to distinguish clearly between memory and mythology, both of which are essential to understanding national identity, for not only are the two concepts distinct, they can also act in opposition to each other. Following from this I introduce the notion of a 'mythscape', the temporally and spatially extended discursive realm in which the myths of the nation are forged, transmitted, negotiated, and reconstructed constantly. Through employing the idea of a mythscape we can relate memory and mythology to each other in a theoretically profitable way.

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Author information

Author/s: Bell, Duncan (D);

Affiliation: Centre of International Studies, University of Cambridge.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The British journal of sociology (Br J Sociol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Mar; vol 54 (issue 1) : pp 63-81

Dates: Created 2003/05/14; Completed 2003/06/11; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12745819, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Culture
Demography
Ethnic Groups - psychology
Humans
Memory
Metaphor
Mythology - psychology

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