Book #30
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
By Axie Oh
Fictional Stories Across Cultures & Time
I really enjoy books on fiction and myth from different cultures. It tells you a lot about that culture: its values, symbols, history, tradition, and worldview. I have been thinking a lot lately about the stories that we tell ourselves collectively, especially fictional stories.
Part of the reason why this subject has been on my mind is the prevalence of untrue stories in our society today- due to misinformation. This can be on a collective or individual scale. We are all bombarded with a slew of untrue or highly edited narratives and we all just have to somehow sort through it to find the truth.
Sometimes these fictional stories bring us together, sometimes they tear us apart. Sometimes they endure for centuries or crumble at the slightest examination. So how can we differentiate these stories? Where can we even begin? Can fictional stories hold more truth than “real” ones?
I have mused about the difference between fiction and non-truth before (that post can be found here). And I have talked about how exaggeration in art is sometimes used to point out a truth, and sometimes to distort it (in a post called Art and its Relationship to Honesty).
But I have never thought about mythology’s relation to truth. In this book, the author writes “Sometimes, only through a story can a truth be heard”. Perhaps that is why myths endure for generations and bring us together? They hold some sort of truth, acting as a signpost pointing us toward something real and universal? Let’s compare myths with modern-day misinformation.
An Ancient Myth & a Current One
Misinformation is not a new phenomenon. Throughout history, people have heard untrue things. Many myths started as conspiracy theories- stories meant to explain the yet unexplainable. However, they are now seen as symbolic, not factual.
But one of the key differences between past and present misbelief is that modern-day misinformation can spread quickly, with just a click of a button. Whereas myths evolved slowly over hundreds or thousands of years, by word of mouth and writing. This meant the stories developed symbiotically with the culture in which it was created, adjusting itself to fit the zeitgeist of each era.
I think there are 4 main differences that make myths endure, especially when compared to something more fleeting like conspiracy theories.
Myths vs. Conspiracy Theories
1. The Purpose of Their Unique Internal Logic
Both myths and conspiracy theories operate according to internal logic that does not necessarily translate to the world at large.
In this book, once in the underworld, the main character’s soul gets transformed into a bird. The other characters accept this logic without question- and that guides the reader and protagonist to do so as well. The author is setting up the logic of the Spirit Realm.
In the real world, internal logic can also get socially reinforced with respect to misinformation. Even when it is confusing and paradoxical, it is often considered “true” insofar as you can’t question it without the belief system collapsing. Which is partially why it is so frustrating to be around someone who has fallen for a conspiracy theory. It is hard to follow their logic, as they pick and choose what to believe. The stories are often full of contradictions to outsiders.
Sometimes, people who escape cults will talk about “the bubble bursting”. If the leader says they are ordained by God, but then does something very un-Godlike, for example, it can make the misbeliever see the situation for what it is. The contradictions- if pushed too far- can break the spell and expose the truth.
Similarly, if a storyteller violates the logic of an imaginary world, they can lose their authority, and the world can collapse in on itself. But this doesn’t really expose a lie, it just exposes the lack of the storyteller’s authority.
The difference lies in the fact that myths attempt to reveal truth- through symbolism and fiction- whereas conspiracy theories are structured to protect belief while distorting truth.
2. Their Capacity to Evolve
When they originated, myths brought some people closer together, but excluded others. It did this by reinforcing in-group and out-group identity, as well as moral hierarchies. Myths still do that to some extent- Greek culture is still very much influenced by Greek mythology, for example. There is a strong sense of group identity there, through shared symbols, values, and narratives. However, I, as an outsider feel bonded to that culture through these myths, not excluded from it. It seems, with time, mythology tends to strengthen social bonds, (such as through me reading this book), while misinformation tends to weaken them.
Comparatively, conspiracy theories also seek to impose hierarchies and group identity, such as an “us vs. them” or “believer vs. non-believer” mentality. They cultivate an insulated community, also through shared symbols, values, and narratives, while isolating the misbeliever from the outside world. A cult may feel like connection at the time, but this sense of connection is often engineered through manipulative tactics- such as gaslighting, triangulation, emotional pressure and manipulation, physical isolation, etc.
Both myths and conspiracy theories start with a similar nature, but their capacity to evolve seems very different. Myths have demonstrated that they can outgrow their original political context, whereas conspiracy theories tend to die with a leader or a movement.
3. The Use of Emotion
Both forms of storytelling often come from a sense of feeling powerless toward either the natural world or human behavior. And so emotions play an essential role both in the stories’ content and the way it is told.
It is ironic that myths were used to explain phenomena like floods or droughts and conspiracy theories are applied to weather events today. Just now, they are used to deny changes in weather patterns or provide a reason for these changes that is not based on human behavior.
Myths tend to have more enduring themes of emotion than conspiracy theories, though. Myths follow the lines of more universal emotional truths and lessons such as the importance of bravery or the value of love.
Whereas the logic of conspiracy theories often follows the immediate emotional state of a leader or a believer. The stories are reactive, not reflective. They are more manipulative and seek to mislead and distract the believer from actual reality. And they tend to come with more corrosive emotions, like fear or paranoia, not healing ones.
4. The Use of Symbolism
It is also ironic that both myths and conspiracy theories can rely heavily on strong artistry and symbolism. When I think of myths, I picture Zeus hurling a lightning bolt and when I think of some of the most unfortunate yet effective conspiracy theories in history, I think of examples of German “strength” and Jewish “untrustworthiness” in pre-World War 2 propaganda.
However, we know that not all art points toward truth- the latter example was state-sponsored propaganda, which deliberately sought to deceive; just like many written or oral conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories use images to obscure truth, whereas myths use symbolism to demonstrate it- to try to give it some earthly, widely understood form. Yet, many conspiracy theories borrow from mythological symbolism.
Is this why myths seem closer to art than the propaganda of modern-day conspiracies?
The Incredible Range of Fictional Stories
Before reading this book and writing this post, I didn’t realize how different yet related myths and conspiracy theories are. They use a lot of the same aspects- fiction, imagery, etc. but for very different purposes and to very different effects.
This book reminded me that all fiction is not the same. Some stories confuse, isolate, and divide. While others, like myths, endure because they speak to something deeper- something true, even if it is not factual. And this can be felt across cultures and time.
Do you think any modern-day conspiracy theories will be viewed as mythology one day? Or are they too different? Leave a comment- I’d love to know your take.
Messy Bun Book Lover
(Originally posted on Aug. 7, 2025, edited Jan. 2026)
Read The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh → https://amzn.to/4ok9On2
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