Chapter II, The Inward Journey Summary and Analysis

The focus of this chapter is on the origin of myths and mythic images which emanate from an individual's inner being. The universality of myths and their associated images arises from the commonality of an individual's life experiences with other fellow members of the human race and the transmission of these ideas from generation to generation. The interaction of an individual with members of his own society is also an important component in the development of a mythology. Thus a myth will embrace both an individual's internal images and those of his society manifested in external forms.

Campbell discusses dreams as manifestations of the subconscious mythic images of an individual. When individuals share their dreams with others the symbolic images and metaphors with which they express them become part of a society's mythology...