Mythology and Folklore

Mythology and folklore are central themes in Riddley Walker. The beginning of the novel introduces the story of "Hart of the Wood," and thus establishes the moral perspective of the world of Inland and its inhabitants (Chapter 1, p. 5). From there, Hobart expands the mythological and spiritual elements through the many variations of Eusa’s story. The spiritual vision of the world of the inhabitants of Inland is relatively bleak, as the Eusa mythology offers only damnation without redemption.

Russell Hobart drew on many different religious and mythological sources in creating the world of Inland, including Catholicism, Celtic religions, and English pop-culture. The combination of these proves to be a metaphor of contemporary society. As Hobart presents the misinterpreted texts of the past through Goodparley, the reader must question what the author is saying of contemporary religion and culture. How correct is our vision of history? How...