In Myth, Ritual and the Oral Jack Goody, one of the world's most distinguished anthropologists, returns to the related themes of myth, orality and literacy, subjects that have long been a touchstone in anthropological thinking. Combining classic papers with recent unpublished work, this volume brings together some of the most important essays written on these themes in the past half century, representative of a lifetime of critical engagement and research. In characteristically clear and accessible style, Jack Goody addresses fundamental conceptual schemes underpinning modern anthropology, providing potent critiques of current theoretical trends. Drawing upon his highly influential work on the LoDagaa myth of the Bagre, Goody challenges structuralist and functionalist interpretations of oral 'literature', stressing the issues of variation, imagination and creativity, and the problems of methodology and analysis. These insightful, and at times provocative, essays will stimulate fresh debate and prove invaluable to students and teachers of social anthropology.

杰克•古迪（Jack Goody)，剑桥大学社会人类学荣休教授，圣约翰学院研究员，不列颠研究院（British Academy）研究员。1980年当选为美国国家科学院荣誉外籍研究员。2004年，古迪入选英国国家科学研究院，并于2006年入选文学与艺术委员会。英国女王因为他对人类学所作的贡献而册封他为爵士，