GENDER REPRESENTATION OF THE ARCHETYPICAL IMAGE OF A WITCH THROUGH THE PRISM OF THE UKRAINIAN LITERATURE

Abstract

Summary. The article studies the representation of the archetypical image of a witch as a sociocultural phenomenon through the literature prism. Gender stereotypes played a great role in the formation of the negative image of a witch. Gender stereotypes are based on the division of two genders: a male gender as a leading one and a female gender as a secondary one introduced by the essentialism. That reflects stereotype presentation of the patriarchal society. A woman who found enough courage to follow her own way, despite the anger of male and female societies, had enough difficulties to overcome. The image of a witch, who had an irresistible power, is particularly topical subject as this image denies the myth of a female powerlessness and vulnerability (traits that cemented the socio-cultural secondary role of the feminine). In the Ukrainian literature and mythology the archetypical image of an Old Woman has both positive and negative shade of meaning, that is wisdom is connected with the acquired knowledge, which can have either positive or negative consequences. The negative meaning of the archetype of the Old Woman is represented in the image of the witch. Much attention is given to the fact that the tendency towards the demonization of women that possessed unusual, mystical, uncontrolled knowledge (had illegitimate knowledge for that time, were midwives, treated people and strengthened their health) was a common practice, making such women (who «had a wit») the evil witch quite often. The assertion of the female sin became a political tenet in the process of subordination of women in the patriarchal Ukrainian society. The gender stereotypes played a great role in the process of the socialization of people. As a rule those who do not correspond to the particular norms and standards are condemned by a society.