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ARGUMENT.
Problems suggested by the study of Household Tales.—The stories consist of few incidents, in many combinations —The tales are widely distributed.—The incidents are often monstrous and incredible.—The incidents recur in Greek and Indian epics, and in Lives of the Saints.—How are we to explain the Origin of Household Tales, their Diffusion, their Relations to Epic Myths?—Theories of the Diffusion of Tales.—Caution necessary in Examining Tales.—Example: "The Wolf and Kids:" explanation of Sir George Cox.—His Theory of the Diffusion of Household Tales.—Common heritage of Aryan Race.—His Theory of the Origin of the Tales from mental habits and linguistic eccentricities of early man.—Man was "animistic," vastly concerned about Phenomena of day and year, and he was oblivious of the meaning of proverbial and popular expressions.—Household Tales are chiefly myths of day, night, summer winter, dawn, dew, sun, moon, wind, etc. This theory criticised.—Scantiness of Evidence for early man's poetic interest in Nature, and forgetfulness of meaning of language. Sir George Cox's early men really savages.—Comtemporary savages have not mental and linguistic habits ascribed to the early men.—Difference between Sir George Cox's and Mr. Max Müller's conception of mythopoeic men.—The evidence of Anthropological science neglected.—Criticism of theory of "Polyonymy" and "Oblivion."—Use of these processes in Sir George Cox's system.—Illustrated by Myth of Jason.—Condemnations of the "Solar" method quoted.—The criterion of Mr. Max Müller criticised.—The story of "Frosch-König" as interpreted by Messrs. Cox and Müller.—Sir George Cox's theory that the animals in fairy tales are derived from linguistic confusions criticised.—Relations of Märchen to myths examined.—Theory that Märchen are detritus of myths.—Converse theory that myths are a younger form of Märchen.—A Theory of the Origin of Household Tales stated.—The monstrous incidents are survivals from savagery.—The Myths are Märchen elaborated.—European Märchen hold a mean position between savage tales and heroic myths.—Origin of this theory.—Nature of evidence for savage Märchen and for savage ideas.—Defence of trustworthiness of this evidence when carefully handled.—Statement of chief savage ideas.—They reappear in savage and in civilised Tales.—Examples given.—The Myth of Jason criticised according to this Theory.—Summary.—Conclusion.—Notes.
