Psychology and Folk-lore

Abstract

CONTROVERSY is commonly interesting, if only for the fact that it appeals to a man's pugnacious instincts; and most readers like to be invited to take sides. Eight of the eleven papers in this book were originally lectures, and in most of them Dr. Marett argues vigorously against what he regards as a lifeless manner of attacking the problems of folk-lore. He states his position in the first paper, and stands by it staunchly all through the volume. To him it is perfectly clear that every scrap of folk material is ultimately due to the more or less primitive reactions of the individual mind. Now nobody can understand either the productions or the modes of operation of the human spirit, he believes, by merely looking at them from the outside. The prime problem of all folk-lore is to enter into a man's thoughts, fancies, and emotions when he is confronted by certain definable situations. But simply to study objectively the changes which folk material has undergone in the course of its history is only to gather together a lot of dry bones. The psychologist is needed to put flesh on them, and to breathe into them the breath of life. Dr. W. H. R. Rivers is thereupon, in the most pleasant manner possible, held up as an awful example of the soulless sociologist.

Psychology and Folk-lore.

By Dr. R. R. Marett. Pp, ix + 275. (London: Methuen and Co., Ltd., 1920.) Price 7s. 6d. net.