Barthes' Mythologies

Barthes' *Mythologies* is a collection of essays analyzing everyday cultural symbols and how they carry deeper, often unconscious, meanings. He argues that media, advertisements, and popular stories create myths—simplified narratives that shape our perceptions of reality. These myths transform normal objects or events into symbols of larger ideas—like how a product can symbolize success or happiness. Barthes shows that understanding these myths helps us see how society constructs meaning and influences our beliefs, revealing the power of culture to shape our understanding of the world in subtle ways.