METAMORPHOSIS OF GREAT GODDESS MYTH IN ALBANIAN CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE

A myth expresses collective thoughts, believes and values, etc. They establish themselves within a cultural context, which provides semantic elements of the myth. When cultural contexts change, the myth is likely to undergo semantic changes as well. Great Goddess myth (analyzed in the deep patriarchal context of the Albanian reality), is destined to undergo irrevocable metamorphic processes which affect its fundamental features and values. Myth analysis is conveyed in two important Albanian contemporary novels; Black Mërkuna by Agron Tufa and Las Cemetery by Zija Ҫela. Both novels begin with a similar characterization of the mythical figure; she looms as the Lady of Sacrifice, who suffers for all mankind. The change of cultural context (from matriarchy to patriarchy) is associated with a dramatic metamorphosis in the delineation of myth. In the novel written by Ҫela the mythical figure (Dinosha) "was dethroned" by her husband, whereas in the novel of Tufa, Great Goddess Mërkuna transforms into the Goddess of Vengeance who hates and hunts men.