Let's conquer the Grail : Re-writings and avatars of the myth of the Grail in contemporary mass culture and literature

Nowadays, avatars and re-writings of the myth of the Grail take their inspiration from Literature because the first literary mention of the scheme appears at the end of the twelfth century in Perceval ou le conte du Graal by Chrétien de Troyes. Thanks to its ambivalent (pagan and christian) origins, the Grail anchored in the collective imaginary as a myth of redemption or, at least, an ideal to reach. If the chivalric medieval quest requires a remarkable rigor and the body and soul purity to deserve the revelation of the Holy Vessel mysteries, in our days, mass culture heroes have an access to its secrets by simplified “quest-igations”. The devaluation of the subject occurs through transpositions in different genres, mediums and medias but also in the way society receives the Grail legend. From Holy Grail to Grail, from Literature to mass culture, from the Holy Bible to TV shows, this study tends to show the aspects of these transpositions and tries to prove that there are echos and exchanges between these mediums via the Grail. Following that point of view, the theme functions also as a overhang for what some call “minor” culture and literature that can, however, under the Grail influence, become scientific and bring new pieces of reflection concerning the myth, society and Literature.

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Source https://theses.hal.science/tel-00704520
Author Bekhouche, Alicia
Maintainer CCSD
Last Updated May 16, 2026, 02:59 (UTC)
Created May 16, 2026, 02:59 (UTC)
Identifier NNT: 2011MULH5611
Language fr
Rights https://about.hal.science/hal-authorisation-v1/
contributor Institut de recherche en langues et littératures européennes (ILLE) ; Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) Mulhouse - Colmar (Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA))
creator Bekhouche, Alicia
date 2011-12-09T00:00:00
harvest_object_id 6e55194c-b946-49c3-89ae-84f8ae6ae0c2
harvest_source_id 3374d638-d20b-4672-ba96-a23232d55657
harvest_source_title test moissonnage SELUNE
metadata_modified 2026-03-30T00:00:00
set_spec type:THESE