When discussing Levi-Strauss’ idea of myths in class, it was brought up that there exist many differences between Levi Strauss’ work and that of Barthes. For Levi-Strauss, a myth is a universal structure of mind. For Barthes, however, there exist no universal bonds as he believes every individual attempts to create his or her own meaning and no meaning is thus “fixed”. While the focuses of Levi-Strauss and Barthes’ theories center on universality and individuality respectively, similarities are present. For instance, I found that Levi-Strauss’ rejection of an “original” myth was reminiscent of Barthes’ “The Death of the Author”. Both theories disregard initial creation in favor of reaction. Similarly, the myth according to Levi-Strauss acts as an unconscious structure and product of the mind, much alike Barthes’ concept of writing in that readers supply the meaning for a piece of writing. My question then is, to what extent do readers, albeit creating different meanings, fall under a universal group? Each reader undergoes the same process of interpretation so does the process of individuality become evidence for a greater universality? Also, does Levi-Strauss’ incorporate individualistic undertones in the sense that he defines myth as an unconscious product of the mind? Or does he consider all unconscious thoughts in all minds to be alike?