Studies [on the origin of fairy-stories] are, however…
![“Studies [on the origin of fairy-stories] are, however, scientific (at least in intent); they are the pursuit of folklorists or anthropologists: that is of people using the stories not as they were meant to be used, but as a quarry from which to dig evidence, or information, about matters in which…” quote by J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/3be/j-r-r-tolkien-204_anthropology_studies-on-the-origin-of-fairy-stories-a_2947633.jpg)
““Studies [on the origin of fairy-stories] are, however, scientific (at least in intent); they are the pursuit of folklorists or anthropologists: that is of people using the stories not as they were meant to be used, but as a quarry from which to dig evidence, or information, about matters in which they are interested. ...with regard to fairy stories, I feel that it is more interesting, and also in its way more difficult, to consider what they are, what they have become for us, and what values the long alchemic processes of time have produced in them. In Dasent's words I would say: 'We must be satisfied with the soup that is set before us, and not desire to see the bones of the ox out of which it has been boiled.' Such stories have now a mythical or total (unanalysable) effect, an effect quite independent of the findings of Comparative Folk-lore, and one which it cannot spoil or explain; they open a door on Other Time, and if we pass through, though only for a moment, we stand outside our own time, outside Time itself, maybe.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Fairy tales serve as cultural artifacts that reveal values and open doors to timeless perspectives, not merely sources of factual evidence.
In simple terms: Stories reflect values and connect us to deeper time.
Key Takeaway
Value stories for their cultural insight.
Themes
literature
culture
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
nostalgic
Type
literary
analytical
When to use this quote
- education
- creative writing
- cultural analysis
Key Concepts
mythology
anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern values do we see in ancient tales?
- How do stories shape our perception of time?
A Different Perspective
Stories can be misinterpreted or used to justify harmful ideologies.