Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 19، number In Volume 9، December 2026 ، issue Number 127

Analysis of archetypes in the process of individualization of female characters in Simin Daneshvar's stories (Suvoshon, Wandering Island, and Wandering Captains)

Fatemeh Parsay Ahmadi , Rostam Amani (Author in Charge), Ayoub Kooshan

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The process of individuation (stages of self-knowledge) is an important part of Jung"s theory of analytical psychology, which is based on the analysis of archetypes in relation to the "conscious ego" and the "unconscious ego". In interdisciplinary research in literature and psychology, in works of fiction, the behavior and actions of fictional characters in the narrative flow of the story can be examined by criticizing Jung"s archetypes. In this article, with the aim of examining the evolution of the main female characters in Simin Daneshvar"s works, the process of individuation in three novels by Simin Daneshvar has been examined.

METHODOLOGY: The article"s information was collected through a library study and its writing is descriptive and analytical; the statistical population is the three books Souvon, Wandering Island and Wandering Captains by Simin Daneshvar.

FINDINGS: The character Zari in the novel Soushon is involved with two traits of fear and courage, and finally, under the influence of the positive aspect of the animus (Yusuf) and the old wisdom (McMahon and Dr. Abdullah Khan), she leaves behind the negative shadow (disobedience to Khan Kaka) and undergoes another birth, which occurs in the events of the story with the death of Yusuf, and Daneshvar has shown it with Zari"s dream and dream, and she undergoes a transformation and becomes a brave woman. The character of Hasti in the novel, The Island of Wandering and The Wandering Captain, is the main character who is involved with the trait of wandering in the path of life and political and social vision. In the stages of self-discovery, under the influence of the negative shadow archetype (her mother), she goes to Salim (the negative aspect of the animus) and marries him. However, with the change of belief that is in the narrative of her imprisonment on the island of wandering, and the arrival of Tutak (with the function of the unconscious of existence and the archetype of the old sage) to her, and with the other birth that Daneshvar had expressed with the prophetic element of a dream, like in the story of Sovushon, she finds the clear path of her life and with the help of the old sage (Master Mani), she marries Murad (the positive aspect of the animus) and with the advice of Simin Daneshvar (the old sage), Murad goes to the front and raises their child, the existence.

CONCLUSION: In three novels, Soushon, Wandering Island, and Wandering Captain, Daneshvar has made the main characters female. In an analysis based on Jung"s theory of analytical psychology, the dynamics and evolution of Zari and Hasti"s characters in the content of the story can be interpreted in line with Jung"s stages of self-knowledge, in that both characters have reached self-knowledge by dealing with archetypes seen in fictional characters.

Keyword
Jung , the process of individuation , Simin Daneshvar , the archetypal female character