CONTENTS xiii 



CHAPTER PAGE 



explains much in the attitude of man toward 

 woman. The vast amount of evidence in the 

 taboos of many peoples of dualism in the attitude 

 toward woman. Possible physiological explana- 

 tion of this dualistic attitude of man toward 

 woman found in a period before self-control had 

 in some measure replaced social control, in the 

 reaction of weakness and disgust following sex 

 festivals. 



II. From the Dawn of History : Woman 



AS Saint and Witch . . . 146 



Taboos of first chapter indicate that in the early 

 ages the fear of contamination by woman pre- 

 dominated. Later emphasis fell on her mystic 

 and uncanny power. Ancient fertility cults. 

 Temple prostitution, dedication of virgins, etc. 

 Ancient priestesses and prophetesses. Medicine 

 early developed by woman added to belief in her 

 power. Woman's psychic quality of intuition : 

 its origin — theories — conclusion that this quality 

 is probably physiological in origin, but aggra- 

 vated by taboo repressions. Transformation in 

 attitude toward woman in the early Christian 

 period. Psychological reasons for the persistence 

 in religion of a Mother Goddess. Development 

 of the Christian concept. Preservation of ancient 

 woman cults as demonology. Early Christian 

 attitude toward woman as unclean and in league 

 with demons. Culmination of belief in demonic 

 power of woman in witchcraft persecutions. All 

 women affected by the belief in witches and in the 

 uncleanness of woman. Gradual development 

 on the basis of the beliefs outlined of an ideally 

 pure and immaculate Model Woman. 



III. The Dualism in Modern Life : the 



Institutional Taboo . . . 176 



The Taboo and modern institutions. Survival of 

 ideas of the uncleanness of woman. Taboo and 

 the family. The " good " woman. The " bad " 

 woman. Increase in the number of women who 

 do not fit into the ancient classifications. 



IV. Dysgenic Influences of the Institu- 



tional Taboo .... 193 



Taboo survivals act dysgenically within the 

 family under present conditions. Conventional 



