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Jane Ellen Harrison
10quotes
Jane Ellen Harrison
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Jane Ellen Harrison was a British classical scholar, feminist, and influential figure in the development of comparative mythology.
Birth and Death Dates
Harrison was born on September 9, 1850, and passed away on December 12, 1928.
Nationality and Profession(s)
A British citizen by birth and nationality, Harrison's professional life revolved around classical scholarship. She held various academic positions throughout her career, including serving as the first female lecturer in Classics at the University of Cambridge.
Early Life and Background
Jane Ellen Harrison was born into a family that valued education highly. Her father, John Harrison, was a lawyer who recognized the importance of intellectual pursuits for both men and women. This upbringing likely influenced Harrison's passion for classical studies and her commitment to academic excellence. Her early life laid the groundwork for her future accomplishments as a pioneering figure in the field of Classics.
Major Accomplishments
As a trailblazer in the male-dominated field of Classics, Harrison made significant contributions to the study of comparative mythology and ancient Greek culture. She is perhaps best known for her work on the concept of "dissolution," which posits that ancient myths often reflected real historical events rather than mere fantasies.
Notable Works or Actions
Jane Ellen's most notable works include Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion (1903) and Themis: A Study of the Social Origins of Greek Mythology (1912). These texts demonstrate her groundbreaking approach to understanding mythology as a cultural phenomenon rather than simply an abstract concept. Through her research, Harrison aimed to uncover the underlying social dynamics that shaped ancient Greek society.
Impact and Legacy
Harrison's influence extends far beyond her own lifetime. As one of the first women in academia, she paved the way for future generations of female scholars. Her innovative approach to mythology has had a lasting impact on fields such as anthropology, sociology, and comparative literature. Furthermore, Harrison's commitment to feminist causes helped lay the groundwork for later movements.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jane Ellen Harrison is widely remembered today due in part to her groundbreaking work on comparative mythology and ancient Greek culture. Her determination to challenge established norms and push beyond traditional boundaries of academic scholarship has inspired countless others to pursue their passions, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
Harrison's legacy extends into contemporary academia, where scholars continue to engage with her ideas on myth and culture. Through her tireless efforts to uncover the social and cultural contexts that shape human experience, she has left an indelible mark on our understanding of history and its significance for modern society.
Quotes by Jane Ellen Harrison
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We know from tradition that in Athens ritual became art, a dromenon became the drama, and we have seen that the shift is symbolized and expressed by the addition of the theatre, or spectator-place, to the orchestra, or dancing-place.
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When we say art is unpractical, we mean that art is cut loose from immediate action.
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We seem to have come to a sort of impasse, the spirit of the dromenon is dead or dying, the spectators will not stay long to watch a doing doomed to monotony.
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An agon, or contest, or wrangling, there will probably be, because Summer contends with Winter, Life with Death, the New Year with the Old. A tragedy must be tragic, must have its pathos, because the Winter, the Old Year, must die.
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Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant time. It is true that you are quietly shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front seat as spectator, and if you have really played your part you are more content to sit down and watch.
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Paganism is the worship of life itself in its supreme mysteries of ecstasy and love.
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Then Ruskin came. I showed him our small library. He looked at it with disapproving eyes. “ Each book ”, he said gravely, “ that a young girl touches should be bound in white vellum.” I thought with horror of the red moroccos and Spanish leather that had been my choice. A few weeks later the old humbug sent us his own works bound in dark blue calf!
