Literature and the Psychopathic*

The human race is not far removed from the legend as an expression of its unconscious fears and desires. The student now examines legends for their symbolic content, which he is able consciously to recognize. He observes in them the germs and the explanation of many of the sexual and other taboos which continue strongly to influence the life of mankind. By the mass of people the interpretation of the symbols is not made consciously, though doubtless it is made unconsciously to some extent, this unconscious interpretation affording one of the chief sources of pleasure in the legend.

This is evident in such typical legends as the story of the Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis and the Celtic, later French, legend of the Grail. The student sees in these a mass of symbolic content. The serpent, the fruit, the cup, the bleeding lance, the three drops of blood on the snow, the ship containing the spindles of King Solomon-the symbolism of these and many other factors in the stories is obvious enough to one familiar with symbolism as present in dream, reverie, and story. The exact significance of this symbolism is not apparent to the general reader. He feels in them the presence of certain ancient race ideas. He catches vaguely the symbolism of various incidents and devices. Never, however, is he conscious of all their relations. If he were he would, because of his prudery, reject the legends.

There are two things in legend, however, which, to the general reader, explain much of its continued interest and charm. In the first place, legend follows the taboo. Legend is the possession of the race, and at some remote time the taboo had at least psychological value to the race. For the most part the race still follows many of the taboos, although their significance to the conscious mind of the average individual is lost in antiquity, and his actual explanation of their existence is purely a rationalization. With the natural resistance