Symbolic Interpretation Of The Wolf Image In English And Uzbek Folktales

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the symbolic interpretation of the wolf image in English and Uzbek folk tales. In ancient mythological and folkloric layers, the wolf appears not only as a predatory animal, but also as a symbol of danger, threat, and nonconformity to social norms. In English fairy tales, especially in well-known plots such as Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf emerges as a metaphor for male violence and manipulation within gendered and social contexts. In Uzbek fairy tales, however, the wolf is more often depicted as a deceived or defeated figure, usually opposed to a cunning fox or wiser animals. Drawing on theoretical approaches by scholars such as Zipes, Warner, Bettelheim, Jung, Freud, and Butler, the study explores psychoanalytic, anthropomorphic, and gendered interpretations of the wolf. The research also highlights the wolf’s association with the forest, its role as a liminal space, and its function as a threat to social and moral order. In conclusion, the wolf image in folk narratives is shown to be a symbolic embodiment of human inner fears and desires, as well as the complex tensions between society and culture.