The Parody of the Hero's Journey in Kachal Tales: A Re-reading of the Triple-Test Structure in Persian Folk Narratives

The "Kachal" (the Bald Man) type in Iranian oral folklore is a multifaceted and symbolic character characterized by traits such as naivety, cleverness, and comic functions. This research aims to conduct a morphological and thematic analysis of eleven selected stories from two sources, Persian Folktales and Folktales of Markazi Province, to examine how this character is represented in contrast to classical patterns. The study employs a qualitative-explanatory method using a library-based approach. Findings indicate that Kachal stories serve as a "parody" of Joseph Campbell's Hero’s Journey archetype. Unlike the mythic hero, Kachal undergoes the stages of initiation within a humorous context and primarily to satisfy material needs. In these narratives, Kachal relies on magical helpers to navigate the transition from ignorance to wisdom and maturity, ultimately triumphing over the power structure (the King and Vizier), which is depicted as incompetent. The results show that while these stories overlook the role of women in choosing a spouse, they utilize fantasy elements as an efficient tool for social critique and the re-interpretation of societal realities by the lower classes.