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We Are All Myth Informed

© Larry Low

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At the library the other day, I came across a book entitled Myth Informed. Paul Dickson and Joseph C. Goulden provide entertaining tidbits of mis-information that are considered the gospel truth by many of us. Of course being myth informed could simply mean that we are very up on the myths, the lore if you like, to which we have been exposed. It could also mean that we have some vested interest in the continuance of the myth.

How is that modern myths are believed by the modern miss and master? Let's look at a myth that most of us were wont to believe when we were very young. One part of us still harbors a wish to believe the myth, so much in fact that we pass it along to our children so that we can vicariously enjoy something that we have been reluctant to outgrow. Yes, I am speaking of Santa. The persona of Santa Claus is one that changes as one ages. To the four year old,in most cases, Santa is the bringer of delight and there is no incentive to question his validity. As a matter of fact there is a perceived disincentive to do so.

I remember one of my students, relating, many years after the fact, how he inadvertently wised up, at the age of four, to the fallacy presented by jolly old St. Nick. Being too charged up to sleep, he woke up his seven-year-old sister because he could hear a bit of a commotion down stairs. The two crawled over to the landing where they were able to view the proceedings in the living room.

"That's only Daddy," the girl whispered. "That's not Santa."

The next morning, what did the two tots find under the tree? Fabulous presents from Santa Claus were strewn under the tree as they knew full well that they would be. And that's when those two adorable little tykes went along with the legend. If Daddy wanted to give them presents from Santa, it was only in their best interest to believe in Santa or at least to give him lip service. After all, it seemed that Santa was far more generous than were Mom and Dad. If that is the way that the game was to be played, so be it.

Myths only exist as long as someone gives it credence either through gullibility, or in the case of the so sophisticated siblings, taking the path of least resistance. Who can blame them?

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