This book reads Ernest Becker both as a prophet of modernity and as a sensitive observer of its decline. Situated within the disciplinary approach of 'theology of culture, ' the book discerns in dialogue with Becker the contours of modern vision in its depth-dimension. Taking note of Becker's works as a whole, it identifies the two master images of human existence--homo poeta and homo heroica--which articulate this dimension, situating them in scholarly debate and comparing and relating them to the contemporary situation.