The Narcissus and the pomegranate

"In The Narcissus and the Pomegranate, the author analyzes the traditional language of the hymn and Persephone's retelling of her story to Demeter, arguing that the hymn involves an earlier tale of Demeter and Persephone that predates the seventh century. Suter uses anthropological applications to illustrate that the story of Persephon's abduction does not reflect a female initiation rite into adulthood, as has been argued, but rather a hieros gamos. These methodologies point to the conclusion that Persephone was once a powerful goddess in her own right, independent of Hades and of Demeter as well."--BOOK JACKET.