batch.motif.comparative-golden-bough-volume-1-frazer-gutenberg-l8059-l8121
---
record_id: batch.motif.comparative-golden-bough-volume-1-frazer-gutenberg-l8059-l8121
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
passage_locator:
label: MACAULAY. / CHAPTER II. THE PERILS OF THE SOUL. / HEINE. / CHAPTER III. KILLING
THE GOD.; lines 8059-8121
start: '8059'
end: '8121'
translation: 'The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2)'
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Frazer describes European harvest customs in which the person who cuts,
binds, threshes, or otherwise finishes the last part of the harvest is marked
as having or carrying the “Old Man,” often identified with the last sheaf or corn-spirit.
Examples from near Danzig, Aschbach in Bavaria, and Kloxin near Stettin include
contests to avoid being last, anthropomorphic last-sheaf figures, mockery, carrying
the sheaf to the farmhouse or village, dances, food portions, masking or cross-dressing,
and a delivery speech requesting a present for the Old Man.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The person who cuts, binds, or threshes the last sheaf is described as exposed
to rough treatment, ridicule, or expected misfortune.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Harvesters compete near the end of the work because they are reluctant to
be the last person to reap, thresh, or bind.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Near Danzig, women binders receive equal swaths, and spectators gather while
the women compete after the call, “Seize the Old Man.”
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: In the Danzig example, the woman who binds the last sheaf carries the Old
Man, a last sheaf made in human form, to the farmhouse and delivers it to the
farmer.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: At the Danzig supper, the Old Man is placed at the table and given abundant
food, which the woman who carried him receives because the sheaf cannot eat.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: In the Danzig example, people dance around the Old Man, and the woman who
bound the last sheaf may dance with him while others form a ring.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The Danzig woman who bound the last sheaf is herself called the Old Man until
the next harvest and is mocked with a cry identifying her as the Old Man.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: At Aschbach, reapers say they will drive out the Old Man, and the person who
cuts the last handful or stalk is told, “You have the Old Man.”
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: At Aschbach, the last reaper may have a black mask fastened on the face and
be dressed in clothes associated with the other gender; a dance follows.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Frazer states that the last person at reaping, binding, or threshing is regarded
as the representative of the corn-spirit, an idea expressed by binding the person
in corn-stalks.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: At Kloxin, the Old Man is a large bundle of corn decorated with flowers and
ribbons and shaped roughly like a human body.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:12
text: At Kloxin, the Old Man is fastened to a rake or strapped on a horse and brought
with music to the village.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:13
text: At Kloxin, the woman delivering the Old Man says that he can no longer stay
or hide in the field and must come into the village.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: harvesters, reapers, binders, and threshers
description: Collective workers involved in reaping, binding, and threshing, who
compete to avoid finishing last and may ridicule or treat the last person roughly.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: woman who binds the last sheaf
description: In the Danzig and Kloxin examples, the woman who finishes binding last
carries or delivers the Old Man and may herself be called the Old Man.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: last reaper or last thresher
description: At Aschbach, the person who cuts the last handful or stalk, or gives
the last stroke at threshing, is said to have the Old Man.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: the Old Man
description: The Old Man is identified with the last sheaf, sometimes made in human
form, decorated as a bundle of corn, placed at table, danced around, carried,
or brought into the village.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: spectators and village community
description: Spectators gather to watch the Danzig contest, and people dance around
the Old Man; at Kloxin the Old Man is brought with music into the village.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:10
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: farmer
description: In the Danzig example, the woman who carries the Old Man delivers it
to the farmer.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
roles:
- id: role:1
label: harvest competitors
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage describes harvesters striving to finish quickly so they will
not be last.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: last finisher
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
basis: The person who binds, cuts, or threshes last receives the Old Man designation
or burden.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: representative of the corn-spirit
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
basis: Frazer explicitly says the person last at reaping, binding, or threshing
is regarded as the representative of the corn-spirit.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:4
label: anthropomorphic last-sheaf figure
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The Old Man is described as the last sheaf made in human form or as a decorated
corn bundle shaped like a human body.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: mocking or dancing community
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:5
basis: Workers and spectators watch the contest, mock the person called Old Man,
and dance around the Old Man.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: recipient of delivered sheaf
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The woman brings the Old Man to the farmhouse and delivers it to the farmer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Old Man last sheaf
literal_form: Last sheaf or large bundle of corn made into a human-like form and
called the Old Man.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:9
- id: sym:2
label: corn-stalk binding
literal_form: A person bound in corn-stalks or encased in the last sheaf.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: water drenching
literal_form: Water used in rough treatment of the person bound in the last sheaf.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:4
label: food portion for the Old Man
literal_form: An abundant or double portion of food allotted to the Old Man at supper.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: black mask and exchanged clothing
literal_form: A black mask and clothing associated with the other gender placed
on the last reaper at Aschbach.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: flowers and ribbons
literal_form: Flowers and ribbons decorating the Kloxin Old Man corn bundle.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: General last-sheaf avoidance and rough treatment
summary: Frazer summarizes customs in which the person who finishes the last harvest
action may be bound in the last sheaf, beaten, drenched, ridiculed, or believed
destined for misfortune, causing workers to compete to avoid being last.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Danzig binding contest and Old Man delivery
summary: Women near Danzig compete to bind equal swaths; the one who binds the last
sheaf carries the human-shaped Old Man to the farmhouse and presents it to the
farmer.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Danzig supper, dance, and mock naming
summary: The Old Man is placed at table and given food, then danced around or danced
with; the last-binding woman is called the Old Man until the next harvest and
mocked with that name.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Aschbach driving out the Old Man
summary: At Aschbach, reapers say they will drive out the Old Man; the person who
cuts last is told he or she has the Old Man, may be masked and cross-dressed,
and receives a larger supper portion.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Kloxin decorated Old Man brought into village
summary: At Kloxin, the woman who binds the last sheaf is told she has the Old Man;
the decorated human-shaped corn bundle is carried with music to the village, and
a speech says he must leave the field and asks for a present.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: last-sheaf person as corn-spirit representative
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
basis: The passage states that the last person at reaping, binding, or threshing
is regarded as the representative of the corn-spirit, with customs occurring at
harvest and lasting in name until the next harvest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy reference is broad; the passage concerns harvest customs
specifically, not a full seasonal myth narrative.
- id: motif:2
label: anthropomorphic harvest effigy called Old Man
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
basis: Several examples identify the Old Man with the last sheaf or a decorated
bundle of corn shaped like a human figure.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage treats the effigy within harvest ritual practice rather than
as an independent mythic character.
- id: motif:3
label: ritual contest to avoid bearing the harvest spirit
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
basis: The passage describes competition among harvest workers to avoid finishing
last and receiving the Old Man designation or burden.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The meaning of the contest is reported through Frazer’s comparative interpretation
and should be checked against source ethnography.
- id: motif:4
label: mocking, masking, or inversion of the last harvest worker
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The last worker may be ridiculed, called the Old Man, dressed in opposite-gender
clothes, or fitted with a black mask.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives these as local customs but does not provide a single
explicit interpretive category for all of them.
- id: motif:5
label: bringing the field spirit into house or village
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
basis: The Old Man is carried to the farmhouse or brought into the village, and
the Kloxin speech says he can no longer stay or hide in the field.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:10
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: The phrase 'field spirit' is inferred from Frazer’s stated corn-spirit
framework; the local speech itself names the figure the Old Man.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The Danzig, Aschbach, and Kloxin examples are presented as variants of a
shared harvest pattern in which the last worker or last sheaf is associated with
the Old Man.
claim_level: same_motif
target: European harvest Old Man / last-sheaf customs described in the passage
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The claim is limited to examples grouped by Frazer in this passage
and does not establish historical contact among the communities.
- id: claim:2
claim: The customs share the function of marking the final harvest action and transferring
the Old Man from the field into a social setting such as farmhouse, supper, dance,
or village.
claim_level: same_function
target: Danzig and Kloxin Old Man delivery customs, with related Aschbach last-worker
marking
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:11
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The Aschbach example marks the last worker and supper portion but does
not in this passage describe carrying an effigy into the village.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 8059-8070
quote_or_summary: The passage says the last cutter, binder, or thresher is often
bound in the last sheaf, carried, beaten, drenched, ridiculed, or expected to
suffer misfortune, causing workers to hurry to avoid being last.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 8070-8078
quote_or_summary: Near Danzig, remaining corn is divided among women binders; reapers,
children, and idlers watch, and at the cry “Seize the Old Man” the women compete
to bind their swaths.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short phrase quoted.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 8078-8084
quote_or_summary: The Danzig woman who binds the last sheaf carries the Old Man,
defined as the last sheaf made in human form, to the farmhouse and says, “Here
I bring you the Old Man.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short phrase quoted.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 8084-8092
quote_or_summary: At supper the Old Man is placed at table and given abundant food
that goes to the woman who carried him; afterward people dance around him or the
woman dances with him while others form a ring.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 8092-8095
quote_or_summary: The woman who bound the last sheaf is called the Old Man until
the next harvest and is mocked with the cry, “Here comes the Old Man.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short phrase quoted.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 8095-8102
quote_or_summary: At Aschbach, reapers say, “Now we will drive out the Old Man”;
each reaps quickly, and the one who cuts the last handful or stalk is told, “You
have the Old Man.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short phrases quoted.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 8102-8108
quote_or_summary: At Aschbach, the last reaper may receive a black mask and clothes
associated with the other gender; a dance follows, and at supper the Old Man receives
a double food portion. The same pattern is said to occur at threshing.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 8109-8116
quote_or_summary: Frazer states that the person last at reaping, binding, or threshing
is regarded as the representative of the corn-spirit, and that this idea is expressed
by binding him or her in corn-stalks.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 8116-8121
quote_or_summary: At Kloxin, harvesters tell the woman who binds the last sheaf
that she has the Old Man; the Old Man is a large corn bundle decorated with flowers
and ribbons and shaped roughly like a human form.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: '8121'
quote_or_summary: The Kloxin Old Man is fastened to a rake or strapped on a horse
and brought with music to the village.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: '8121'
quote_or_summary: In the Kloxin delivery speech, the woman says the Old Man can
stay no longer in the field, can hide no longer, must come into the village, and
asks that he be given a present.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels follow Frazer’s
passage-level framing; taxonomy matches are broad and should be reviewed by a
human editor.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
No external sources or taxonomy IDs beyond the supplied lists were used.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:comparative-golden-bough-volume-1-frazer-gutenberg__l8059-l8121
passage_sha256=1873463615bec03a5f7f07beeeacee203b8cad175284bd517c69ccfad75450db