Frazer released the first edition of The Golden Bough in 1890, a mere eight years after Charles Darwin's passing. Darwin, a renowned British naturalist hailed as one of the nineteenth century's most significant scientists, formulated the theory of evolution, which he presented in his 1859 book, On the Origin of Species. This work famously introduced the term "survival of the fittest." According to Darwin's theory, species best suited to their environments were more likely to survive, while those poorly adapted were prone to extinction. Within a species, genetic adaptations occurred when organisms possessing crucial survival traits, such as speed or strength, survived long enough to reproduce with other survivors. Their offspring then inherited these advantageous traits, increasing the likelihood of survival and reproduction for each successive generation.

Darwin also proposed that all organisms descended from a single source, evolving as they adapted to various circumstances. He expanded on this concept in 1871 with The Descent of Man, which faced more significant opposition than his idea of natural selection and remains contested by some religious fundamentalists today. Despite criticism, even his opponents must acknowledge Darwin's immense influence as a scientist of his era.

In The Golden Bough, readers can sense the excitement that Darwin's theories sparked among late nineteenth-century scientists. Frazer's exploration of how cultures progress from primitive magical beliefs to more sophisticated religious beliefs, and ultimately to a reliance on science, reflects a strong confidence in the notion that belief systems evolve over time. This idea, much like Darwin's evolutionary concepts, would have appeared unimaginable to earlier generations. By the late nineteenth century, however, scientific focus had shifted from examining isolated events to studying them in relation to similar occurrences. Just as Darwin studied the diverse adaptations of species evolving in different climates, Frazer speculated about how different story motifs manifested in varied but recognizable forms across cultures.

Frazer's belief in society's inevitable progression toward faith in science—an idea often dismissed today—finds a parallel in the works of Karl Marx, the most renowned economic writer of his time. In his 1848 work, The Communist Manifesto, Marx suggested that all world governments would undergo specific, predetermined stages of development before culminating in Communist political structures. Like Frazer, Marx believed there was a singular logical outcome for societal growth, which he claimed could be scientifically determined.

Although Frazer's theories on cultural evolution faced criticism from the moment The Golden Bough was published, he remains a significant figure in anthropology. His work sparked renewed interest in comparative anthropology and left a mark on late 19th-century psychologists, such as Sigmund Freud, who frequently referenced ancient myths in his theories, and Carl Jung, whose concept of the collective unconscious aligns with Frazer’s ideas on universal myths. The Golden Bough also had a notable impact on literature, particularly influencing writers like James Joyce and T.S. Eliot. However, within anthropology itself, Frazer's contributions have been less impactful because he relied on secondhand information instead of conducting fieldwork. Consequently, the value of his writings is often regarded as limited.

Archetype

An archetype is a literary model or type that is regarded as universal, appearing across all cultures and throughout history. The tale of the King of the Wood, which Frazer examines in The Golden Bough , contains specific details unique to its context that do not manifest in other situations, thus it is not considered an archetype. Nonetheless, as Frazer attempts to trace the origins of this distinct myth, he discovers it stems from a collection of various archetypes. These include tales of deities who induce winter by descending into the underworld for several months each year, myths...