THE CONCEPT OF STEPMOTHERHOOD AND ITS INFLUENCE ON NEGATIVE CHARACTER

Abstract

This article explores the concept of "stepmotherhood" - the recurring portrayal of stepmothers as antagonists in folklore and fairy tales - and its role in shaping negative character archetypes. By analyzing the Western tale of Cinderella alongside the Central Asian folktale Zumrad and Qimmat, highlight the shared and divergent ways in which stepmother characters are depicted, serving as symbols of familial conflict, moral decay, and social values. Both stories reinforce the idea that non-biological family members can be a source of threat and competition, impacting cultural perceptions of family structure, loyalty, and morality. This comparative study offers insights into how these tales reflect and shape attitudes toward family dynamics and step-relations across cultures.