Touba and the Meaning of Night: A Mythical Criticism

Mythological criticism is an effective tool for examining early ideas, historical events and human ideals throughout history, and through it can be traced the actions of ancient humans. Various areas can be explored, including mythical criticism, in Touba and the Meaning of Night, a novel by Shahrnush Parsipur. The aim of the present research is to study the components of mythical criticism in Touba and the Meaning of Night by using descriptive-analytical method. The results indicate that in the novel, there is a direct and significant relationship between women and the elements of nature, which has given direction and meaning to the mythological actions of women. For example, by using the symbolic and archetypal concept of water, it is possible to explain the placement of Munesan next to the fountainhead and Leila next to the pond, who, respectively, seek to achieve fertility and the process of individuation. We can also mention the influence of the Epic of Gilgamesh on Touba and the Meaning of Night; because Touba, like Gilgamesh, uses the archetype of journey to achieve self-examination and perfection.