The Role of Woman in Narratives of the Story of Chelgis:A Study Based on Mythological Themes

The story of Chelgis is one of the most famous and well-known stories in folk literature. In the various narratives of the story, there are common elements such as the description of the character of Chelgis with repetitive characteristics, the theme of the hero's battle with the dragon, and the waterless and famine-stricken lands that give a symbolic and mythological aspect to the story. Using analytical-descriptive method, the purpose of this study is to identify the role and position of women in society in various narratives of the story of Chelgis mentioned in Iranian Legends and Fairy Tales Encyclopedia according to the mythic deep-structure of the story. Considering the history of matriarchy and worship of goddesses in Iran, the results of the research show that the character of Chelgis can be an embodiment of the goddess Anahita, the goddess of water, in Iranian beliefs and myths. Also, the companionship of mythological themes related to the actions of the main male and female characters in the continuous structure of the story indicates the emphasis on male actions and power, the delegation of female tasks to men, the passivity of female characters and the fixation of women's role as obedient spouses. On this basis, the story of Chelgis depicts the decline of matriarchal beliefs and the formation of patriarchal societies.