Krohn develops a method for handling large numbers of folklore texts, arranging them geographically and chronologically. His aim is to produce a genetic analysis of a special folklore topic in order to find its origin, and trace its distribution. Krohn purposefully tries to define which components of folklore he wants to compare and on what level this comparison should be conducted. He also takes into consideration the different conditions connected to and called for by different genres. He develops a general folklore method which is valid for international studies, although he also limits his view of folklore to being a cultural product belonging to his own continent. Krohn is a practical person who provides practical advice, and therefore, he is also a realistic scholar. His aim is clearly formulated: 'The purpose of this analytic procedure (...) is the determination of the ur-form of any characteristic of the theme under study as well as the original combination and arrangement of these traits in order to determine the basic form as well as the pattern form in various areas; from the relationship between the basic form and the pattern form, the route of diffusion and development of the tradition in question can be discovered' (Krohn 1971: 63) and his dream is 'the publication of all variants of each tradition in a general language in the most concise possible form, preserving all significant traits' (Krohn 1971: 39). (ULRIKA WOLF-KNUTS in 'On the history of comparison in folklore studies').