Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/323

Rh of begging the question whether any of these tales be 'mythological' in the strict sense of that word or no).

"J. G. v. Hahn looks upon Märchen and Schwank as organically different forms of expression, the first being a variety of the Sagform, the latter not; and conclusions drawn from a study of the one class being in no way applicable to the other. The main difference between the two classes is stated by him to be as follows: a märchen presents a complete action, and is an organic whole; its tendency is edifying, and the requirements of poetical justice are strictly preserved, whatever cause of offence may be given to modern ideas by the moral conduct of the actors. In the Schwank, on the other hand, the action is of secondary importance, the presentment of a comic motif being the main point. Its tendency is humorous, and poetical justice is disregarded. It is heard with pleasure by men, whilst the märchen's true home is where women and children assemble. It will be seen therefore that an exact definition of these two words will in itself be an important contribution to classification."

I would make one suggestion as far as the word myth is concerned. Among the Members of the Society workers on the New English Dictionary are doubtless to be found. Will not some of these come forward and work out in these pages an exhaustive lexicographical account of the word? This will show better than anything else the chaotic variety of meanings attached to the word, and will, at the same time, furnish materials for a fresh definition, which, it is to be hoped, may become the standard one. I hold by the definition I gave in the fourth volume of the Folk-Lore Record, p. 39: a myth embodies in human form primitive man's conception of a non-human action, until a better one is forthcoming, and I should never use the word save in that sense.

The above remarks will, I hope, serve as a starting-point for a fruitful discussion.

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