Rewriting Myths in Neil Gaiman’s American Gods and novellas

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis paper is to examine Neil Gaiman’s postmodern rewritings of myths, adaptation of mythical figures into the contemporary world and how they contribute to his exploration of the immigrant experience. I will analyse the novel American Gods and the TV series based on the novel. This thesis also discusses two novellas that belong to the universe of American Gods. They are also recycled stories, one of the epic poem of Beowulf and the other of the barghest.