This book investigates the fundamental question of how various academic disciplines define, interpret, and explain the nature and function of myth. Robert A. Segal, a scholar of religious studies, provides a comparative analysis of major theoretical frameworks developed over the last several centuries. By applying these diverse lenses to the specific ancient myth of Adonis, he evaluates the strengths and limitations of each approach to determine how they address the origins and purposes of mythological narratives.

Experts and students frequently cite this work as a foundational, high-level survey for those entering the study of mythology. Readers often note the clarity of the prose despite the dense academic subject matter, making it a standard introductory text in university curricula.