Faires Quote by Lewis Spence
““If we turn now to such vestiges of cult as are associated otherwise than with time and season, we discover a definite recognition of the survival of these nearly a century ago. Keightley, the old fairy mythologist, who did such yeoman service in the collection of much valuable elfin lore, says, as long ago as 1850, when referring to the confused nature of his subject: 'Indeed it could not well be otherwise, when we recollect that all these beings (the larger and greater fairies) once formed part of ancient and exploded systems of religion and that it is chiefly in the traditions of the peasantry that their memorial has been preserved.””
About This Quote
Folklore persists because peasant traditions preserve ancient mythic elements, even as formal religions evolve or disappear.
In simple terms: Peasant lore keeps old myths alive.
Key Takeaway
Oral tradition safeguards cultural memory.
Themes
folklore
mythology
cultural continuity
history
Mood
academic
curious
Type
historical analysis
cultural commentary
When to use this quote
- rural festivals
- family storytelling
- anthropological fieldwork
Key Concepts
collective memory
mythic archetypes
Practical Applications
- Document oral histories
- Integrate folklore into education
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do some myths survive while others fade?
- How does modern media reshape ancient folklore?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on peasant memory may omit broader societal influences on myth evolution.
