Reinterpreting tradition through Feminist Literary Theory: Gendered narratives in folktales

Folktales have long been used as cultural objects to convey values, customs, and social standards throughout generations. This study investigated the portrayal of gender roles in traditional folktales through Feminist Literary Theory, examining how these narratives generate and reinforce societal gender expectations. The study considers folktales from African and East Slavic traditions for recurring themes of female agency, male authority, and gendered morality. The study adopted a qualitative content analysis methodology, with an emphasis on textual interpretation and comparative analysis of chosen folktales. Primary sources included oral and written folktales, while secondary sources offered feminist and literary analysis. According to the findings, traditional folktales frequently show women as weak and subservient, whereas men represent power and heroism. However, current versions defy these assumptions by reinventing female characters as empowered and resilient, reflecting changing cultural attitudes toward gender. The discussion focused on the consequences of these findings for cultural identity, education, and gender representation in literature. It contends that folktales, like developing narratives, can either reinforce or undermine gender biases. The study recommends introducing gender-sensitive storytelling into school courses and encouraging inclusive retellings of traditional narratives. This study contributes to the broader conversation on gender and literature by incorporating Feminist Literary Theory into folktale analysis, emphasizing the importance of a critical re-evaluation of traditional storytelling. It emphasizes the importance of folktales in creating contemporary gender perspectives and calls for more inclusive narratives in cultural and literary studies.