Books by Evans Lansing Smith

Illustrates that the descent to the underworld is the single most important myth in Pynchon's work, conferring shape and significance upon each of his novels. This book offers a perspective on postmodernism, which is characterized by ludic syncretism - the playful synthesis of myths from a variety of cultures.

This text provides an overview of the hero journey theme in literature, from antiquity to the present, with a focus on the imagery of the rites of passage in human life. Included are chapters on Greek and Roman literature, Arthurian Romance, Shakespeare, Bronte and Joyce.