The Place of Women in Ancient Persian Prose Texts; Kelile va Demne; Sandbad-name; Javaher-al-Asmart Tntl-name

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Shiraz

2 MA PhD student in Persian Language and Literature, University of Shiraz

Abstract

The social and legal position of women in the course of history and among different societies has been varied and sometimes contradictory. Due to their culture and civilization, myths, religion, social, economical, political, historical, and geographical conditions, different nations have had different views regarding women. Such attitude can be best seen in India's culture and literature where women play different roles as goddess, myth, spiritual entity, witch, and procuress in Indian legends.
 
By comparing women's role with myths, Indian religious and historical beliefs, this library-based and analytical research aims to find out the roots of negative and anti-female attitude in Kellie va Demne, Sandbiid-niime, Javtiher-al-Asmiir, and Tutf-name that are samples if Indian literature and expose such view toward women. As a result, we can argue this negative attitude originates from the patriarchal point of view, economical problems, mythological beliefs, ancient religious teachings spreading to Indian society and its literature. One cannot also ignore the role of translators and the manipulation they have applied. Accordingly, women behavioural abnormality and social factors has less effect on such attitude

Keywords