Thos.Merton on American mythology

[Guest guest]

" The attachment of the modern American to his

automobile, and the

symbolic role played by his car, with its aggressive

and lubric design,

it useless power, its otiose gadgetry, its

consumption of fuel, which is

advertised as having almost supernatural power . . .

this is where the

study of American mythology should begin. "

 

( CONJECTURES OF A GUILTY BYSTANDER, Thomas Merton )