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The Purpose Of A Trickster Mythology

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Trickster myths have been present in our society since the first stories were written down. Trickster gods serve an important function in every pantheon; they break through conventional methodology in order to solve problems using wit, craftiness, and cleverness. In some myths, Trickster gods serve a destructive force, getting humanity in trouble and prompting punishment from greater powers, such as that which occurs in the Prometheus myth. The ultimate purpose of the trickster character in mythology is to satisfy the human urge to erode the boundaries imposed by traditional values in order to achieve what one desires. One example of a trickster serving this purpose is the myth of how Raven brought light to the world. In one version of

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