Abstract
The author discusses the paradoxical position of females as in the androcentric model of ancient Egyptian society - as individuals excluded from these power structures, they paradoxically gain (from the point of men) a type of power which is unavailable to men - their independence from the power structures. The article then shows how this paradox is reflected in the ancient Egyptian mythology (female characters are depicted as benign "helpers" and at the same time as ferociously destructive and deceptive).
On the basis of this evidence the author discusses the relationship of social reality and mythology and argues that the latter is not a mirror image of the former. There is rather a more subtle play between these two which gives dynamism to the society as such and enables the evolution of various cultural forms.