subdivisions will illustrate the manner in which any item may be subdivided, no matter how elaborate the analysis.[1]
A short handling of the classification will undoubtedly make the system clearer than can any explanation, no matter how lucid. Nothing new or strange will be found, but only the well-tested principle of division and subdivision common to all attempts to systematize knowledge.
(c). Cross-references.
Many items in this classification are of interest in connection with other parts of the work. Many also could with good reason be assigned to any one of several places. In these instances the use of cross-references becomes necessary. Thus at the beginnings of many grand divisions are listed items from other places that might also be expected at that point, or that for one reason or another are of special interest there. The finding of motifs in the index becomes easier in proportion to the completeness of such cross-references.
(d). Bibliographical material.
It has not been my purpose to make a special study of any item listed in this classification. Where I have been able to do so, I have furnished references to books or monographs about a motif, or at least to some reasonably extensive listing of its occurrences. But for many items I know of no such studies. In these cases I have given such references as I happen to have accumulated. At least one instance of the appearance of each motif is listed.[2]
The arrangement of the references has been made according to a relatively uniform plan. First come the names of special treatments and of works listing variants. Here also appears the reference to The Types of the Folk-Tale. Special studies are indicated by two asterisks; valuable lists of variants by a single star. Next follow notices of particular versions of the motif, arranged usually by continents or other convenient groupings. Ordinarily these references are additions to those treated in the special studies, though duplication has not been altogether avoided.
It must be said, in defence of the frequently inadequate documen-
- ↑ The system is not really decimal, for the subdivisions may go beyond ten. E. g., A2494.5.34, E501.17.5.3. The latter number refers to the third tertiary division of the fifth secondary division of the seventeenth primary division of E501. — A difficult problem in classification has been solved by the use of a "zero" subdivision. In E613, for example, the main idea is "reincarnation as bird." E613.1, E613.2, etc., detail the kind of bird (E613.1. Reincarnation as duck, etc.) Now there are other subdivisions of E613 that refer only to the general idea of bird (not of particular birds). Thus: E613. Reincarnation as bird. — E613.0.1. Reincarnation of murdered child as bird. — E613.0.2. Reincarnation of unbaptized child as bird. — E613.1. Reincarnation as duck. — etc.
- ↑ The appearance of only one or a few references to a motif must not be interpreted to mean that there are not other occurrences.
