This month’s Myth Café prompt is to consider a sacred landscape either around us or that we have visited. The catch to the prompt is that it is supposed to be a natural landscape. Because if it were just any old landscape, then I could write about Disneyland and call it a day. I’ve been sitting on this question now for a few weeks, and realize that I need to… Continue reading
Archive for the ‘ Disneyland ’ Category
Towards a New Mythology
Author: PriscillaJul 28
When the sun has set over Disneyland, Anaheim, California, and the lights are turned down, one can see the expectation for something about to happen on the face of every person looking at Sleeping Beauty’s castle as the nightly, seasonal fireworks begin. The day has been long. Everyone is tired, children and adults alike. Many are grumpy because of the various annoyances and complications that are involved in securing the… Continue reading
Psyche, Nature and the Magic Kingdom
Author: PriscillaJul 28
There is nothing natural about Disneyland. In fact, I would say that it is one of the most unnatural places in the United States. From the second one drives onto the Resort or steps off the tram, one is inundated with images, music, and a highly controlled environment designed for the purpose of eliciting a good time. Granted, it can be observed that several people, especially parents and their children… Continue reading
Filed under: Depth Psychology, Disneyland, Essays | Tagged as: American Myth, Disneyland, imagination, nature
Epic Mickey: Disney’s Dystopia
Author: PriscillaJul 5
I know I’m a little late on the bandwagon, but I finally started playing Epic Mickey last month. This is a Wii-console game (only) about a land constructed by Yin Sid for the forgotten Disney characters. Except that it’s called Epic Mickey and not Disney’s Forgotten Characters. So here’s the plot: Mickey Mouse is playing around in Yin Sid’s lab (an… Continue reading
Filed under: Culture Thinking, Disney, Disneyland, Popular Culture | Tagged as: Dystopia, Epic Mickey, Utopia
The Myth(s) of Tangaroa
Author: PriscillaMay 15
In honor of the first birthday of my kitten, I thought it would be interesting to
explore the myths of his namesake. One would think that – for a mythologist – this would be an easy task. Apparently, my myth collections gloss over Polynesian mythology. In these collections, Tangaroa is reduced to a player in the creation or the trickster’s (Maui) father… Continue reading
The Relevance of Disneyland
Author: PriscillaOct 26
Yesterday, I found myself ready to write again. I’ve been grading grading and grading for a month. It was the first major assignment, which usually takes the longest to grade. So I thought I’d work on the nagging question: how is a study of Disneyland relevant to the Mythological Studies conversation?
I initially can come up with two such reasons. First, the work of Walt Disney and Disney Corp… Continue reading
Filed under: Disney, Disneyland, Dissertation, Popular Culture | Tagged as: Disney, Disneyland, Dissertation, place, popular culture
Disneyland and dissertating
Author: PriscillaSep 29
October 1 is right around the corner. That means hardly anything for you, except maybe a paycheck and a season change, but for me, October 1 marks the beginning of the most difficult project I have ever endeavored: the Dissertation. While I’m confident that my dissertation-writing process won’t be nearly as painful as the fabled stereotypical experience, I am nonetheless intimidated by the process. The original reason this blog exists… Continue reading
Filed under: American Myth, Disney, Disneyland, Dissertation, Popular Culture, Theme Parks | Tagged as: American Myth, Disney, Disneyland, Dissertation