Myths (New Fiction)

Myths show the relations between things, even if the meaning of such relationships is left to the reader to interpret and imbue with meaning.  Here, we interpret of some of these myths, in terms of how they relate to transformation.

James Abbott McNeill Whistler [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
“Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket”

New Myths:

Achilles’s Heel

This modern-day short story shows that weaknesses come in all forms.

by Charlotte Dovey

Persephone and Hades

Pomegranate seeds represent death, but they also represent eternal life and fertility in some cultures.  I think these seemingly conflicting ideas are connected.  The pomegranate, interestingly, also symbolizes the sanctity and binding nature of marriage.  I have therefore presented this story to correlate these ideas.

by Charlotte Dovey

The Torture of the Comfortable Chair

“The Torture of the Comfortable Chair” was inspired by the myth of Circe, with a nod to “The Spanish Inquisition” sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

by Charlotte Dovey

Reification of a Consciousness

This story is an allegory; spiritual, political, and philosophical. It is also loosely based upon Pygmalion, a favorite theme of mine.

by Charlotte Dovey

Hope

“Hope” is a modern-day version of Pandora’s Box.

by Charlotte Dovey

Francesca and Paolo, The Archetypes

“Francesca and Paolo, The Archetypes” is an interpretation of the painting, Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta appraised by Dante and Virgil, by Ary Scheffer. It is also a reinterpretation of Pygmalion.

by Charlotte Dovey
Arnold Böcklin [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
“Self Portait with Fiddling Death”