Keuka College - Kiondaga Yearbook (Keuka Park, NY)

Page 3 text:

TH E COLLEGE RECORD ANNOUNCEMENTS OF KEUKA INSTITUTE AND OF KEUKA COLLEGE ARTICLES BY THE FACULTY. KEUKA PARK, NEW YORK.

Page 5 text:

CONCERNING THE INTERPRETATION OE MYTHOLOGY. Alice A. Mendenhall. HP HE province usually chosen by writers on Mythology is its ■ relation to literature and art. The purpose of such writers has generally been directed in two channels : First, to give such an account of mythical material as will enable readers of classical literature, both ancient and modern, to understand the numerous allusions therein ; second, to lead the students to appreciate the great influence which Mythology has had upon literature and art of all ages. This province has been well chosen and wisely defined, and, in the main, has met the de- mands of the day. But the time has come when this disposition of Mythology fails to satisfy. That mythical and legendary stories have been an unfailing source of inspiration for poet and artist of all times cannot be questioned. That there must be some reason for this fact ought to be admitted with equal candor. That there is in myths something more than superstitious ideas of savage tribes, something more even than harmless, fanciful picturings of the race mind in its infancy is coming to be recognized by many. Surely there must be in them some germ of truth, some vital principle to enable them to endure and to exert so strong an influence. Just what the reason is for the remarkable place of myths in the world of literature and art, what aspect of truth and what principles they illustrate, have not yet been satisfactorily formulated. If this should be done the science of Interpretation will have rendered a valuable ser- vice to human thought. Yet it is probable that the very nature and purpose of mythical material make it unreasonable to expect that such principles of teaching would be generally accepted. As soon as the literal truth of myths and legends began to be questioned some interpretation was demanded. In all periods of history, since doubt began to be felt concerning them as literal statements of fact, effort has been made to ex- plain their significance. Different theories have been proposed,