Media and Affective Mythologies

This book provides a timely political insight to show how mythology plays an affective role in our lives. Brexit, bankers, institutional scandals, the far right, and Russell Brand's 'revolution' are just some of the issues tackled through this innovative and interdisciplinary discourse analysis. Through multimedia case studies, Kelsey explores the psychological dimensions of archetypes and mythologies and how they function ideologically in contemporary politics. By synergising approaches to critical discourse studies with the work of Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell and other mythologists, Kelsey's psychodiscursive approach explores the depths of the human psyche to analyse the affective qualities of storytelling. Kelsey makes a compelling case for our need to understand more about the power of mythology in modern society. Whilst mythology might be part of who we are, societies are responsible for its ideological substance and implications. Media and Affective Mythologies shows how we can begin to engage with this principle.

Darren Kelsey is Head of Media, Culture, Heritage at Newcastle University.  Darren's publications have focused on media mythologies and ideology, war and terrorism, moral storytelling, the banking crisis, right wing populism, journalism ethics, social media, surveillance and affect theory. Darren is a co-convenor of the Newcastle Critical Discourse Group.