Experience is nearly always commonplace; the present is not romantic in the way the past is, and ideals and great visions have a way of becoming shod… - Northrop Frye

As civilization develops, we become more preoccupied with human life, and less conscious of our relation to non-human nature. Literature reflects this, and the more advanced the civilization, the more literature seems to concern itself with purely human problems and conflicts. The gods and heroes of the old myths fade away and give place to people like ourselves.

Those who do succeed in reading the Bible from beginning to end will discover that at least it has a beginning and an end, and some traces of a total structure.

Yesterday's kook book becomes tomorrow's standard text. (2:495)