A Descriptive–Analytical Approach to the Function of Women in Hormozgan Folktales Based on Vladimir Propp’s Model

Abstract

Folktales are among the most significant sources of anthropology and sociology for all ethnic groups and are considered a cultural asset for every nation. Iranian legends and folktales, likewise, contain various social and cultural insights. Women, as an integral part of human society, have always played active roles in folktales, engaging in actions or being assigned roles that, according to Vladimir Propp’s model, are referred to as functions. The totality of these functions reflects the image of women in the stories and legends of a nation. This study, adopting a descriptive–analytical method and utilizing library sources, seeks to analyze the image and functions of women in the folktales of Hormozgan, using Propp’s model as a framework, and to examine the roots and factors shaping society’s perceptions of women through this lens. Based on the findings of the research, women appear in Hormozgan’s folktales in roles such as mother, daughter, stepmother, wife, female neighbor, old woman, servant (maid), and others, ranked by frequency of presence. They perform functions such as villain, hero, princess, false hero, donor, dispatcher, and helper. The role of daughter has the highest frequency among the female characters, while villainy is the most frequent function, indicating a negative societal perception of women and their behaviors. Following this, the functions of princess, helper, and dispatcher also show high frequencies. The outcomes of women’s actions, as primary agents, in addition to institutionalizing deep and positive social and cultural values—especially through the disgrace, humiliation, and punishment of villainous and false hero characters at the end—can serve as a deterrent against immoral and inappropriate behaviors by women in society. Women depicted as villains or false heroes are severely punished by the end of the story, and in some cases, even lose their lives. This narrative trajectory, from various cultural perspectives, may serve as a source of moral instruction and exert a positive influence at the societal level.