Trickers in Different Cultures

In chapter 26 of The Ecology of Eden, Eisenberg broaches the topic of tricksters and how they have changed, comparing Enki to Prometheus as mythological tricksters of different cultures with different values. The Western trickster, Prometheus becomes something closer to a tragic hero than a trickster as time passes. This shows Western values as someone who stands strong despite punishment or failure, rather than a more traditional trickster, such as Enki, who moves onto the next trick as soon as failure starts coming. Interestingly, this shows an shift from the classical trickster figure as Western civilization becomes entrenched, along the way also becoming more individualistic. The modern myth of Prometheus is one that anyone can strive to be, stealing secrets and being punished for doing the right thing, which are values upheld by Western culture. And that raises the question of if there could be a shift back. While I do not know the answer to that question, I do think that, were Western values to shift away from individual-centered and powerful ideas, the mythologies people learn about would also change as well, potentially changing the perception of Prometheus back toward a traditional trickster hero.

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