Archetypal Female Images in the Novel "The Golovlev Family" (On the 200th Anniversary of M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin's Birth)

The subject of this study is the female images in M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin's novel "The Golovlyov Family." The object consists of the archetypal traits inherent in the female characters of this work. The aim of the paper is to identify and analyze the system of female archetypal images in the novel and to draw conclusions about their interactions and influences on the development of the plot and the characters' personalities. Three key aspects are considered: the duality of the maternal archetype in the image of Arina Petrovna Golovlyova; the tripling of the archetypal image of the Wonderful Bride; the archetypal image of the Sister, complementing the description of the family system. Attention is paid to the linguistic means of creating images as a factor ensuring psychological authenticity. It demonstrates how the author reveals the themes of family tragedy, spiritual degeneration, and possible redemption through female characters. The methodological foundation of the article combines a mythopoetic approach, Carl Jung's archetypal theory, and linguistic stylistic analysis. The relevance of the research topic is due to the high interest in gender-role relationships and family problems. It is no secret today that the family is a system that operates according to specific systemic laws, where each element is connected to others and influences them. M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin created a poignantly honest novel about the mutual influence of family members on each other, and the psychological observations made by the author remain relevant today. The significance of this research lies in its ability to provide a new perspective on a well-known work, revealing its deep archetypal layers. The results can be utilized in both academic studies of M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin's work and in the practice of teaching literature at universities.