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Volume 9, Issue 2 (9-2021)
Abstract

Taboo, as a belief in the existence of a transcendental and sanctifying force in a number of objects, plants, animals, and humans, is a prominent conceptual concept in the field of literary and anthropological studies. Each taboo, with its two characteristics of "sanctity" and “abstinence ", reminds its believers, a number of collective do's and dont's. Taboos, with their various functions, both in the past and in modern times, have a prominent place in collective relations. Since epic works are mythological manifestations and contain visible and hidden traces of the first eras of human life, by examining the taboo in these works, we can better understand the beliefs, do's and dont's and the type of thought that governs primitive society.The present article, which has been written with an analytical-comparative approach and from a taboo point of view, aims to acquaint the reader with the identical and dissimilar ideas of three peoples: Sumerians, Indians and Iranians, in three historical periods. Research shows that taboo beliefs and laws, with similar or dissimilar functions, play a prominent role in the three epic works, Gilgamesh, Ramayana and Garshasbnameh, and to the actions-reactions of epic-mythical characters. They give a special direction and this indicates the homogeneity of the type of functioning of the human mind, in different prehistoric-historical periods, in different geographical areas.

Volume 9, Issue 39 (6-2021)
Abstract

Ayyari, which dates back to the pre-Islamic Iran, was considered a socio-political phenomenon the main origin of which was the urban society. This class had such a position among the masses that most of the heroes of the folk tales were Ayyars. The influence of work and behaviors of Ayyars were not limited to such stories, but we also occasionally see traces and signs of it in the Persian heroic poems. With the spread of narration in Iran, the influence of Ayyari literature intensified in epic and heroic stories, and we see the peak of such literature in the figures named Rostam Yekdast / Kolehdast. This emerging figure, created and paid for by the creative and popular minds of the narrators, is a hero who stands up to Rostam and the Iranians, and challenges the heroic face of the Iranian people.  By examining the history and literature of Ayyari in Iran and the Islamic world, this study tries to portray the elements of Ayyari in the actions and behavior of Rostam Yekdast / Kolehdast. In addition, by analyzing the dual nature of Ayyari in the social and political history, it examines the dual personality of Rostam Yekdast / Kolehdast.

Volume 9, Issue 41 (11-2021)
Abstract

The story of "Rostam's death" in Shāh-nāma and Ghorar-assiar Tha'ālabi is different from all other sources. In these sources, there are four narrations of Rostam being killed by Bahman: natural death, the death of both opponents at the end of the war with Esfandiār, and being killed by “Ŝoghād/ Ŝaghād”. The source criticism of the story of Rostam and Esfandiār shows that it did not exist in Khodāy-nāma. The difference between the narrator of the story (Azād-sarv) and the narrators of Abu Mansouri's Shāhnāma and the anonymity of Ŝoghād in the sources has obscured the origin of the story. This article, considering the continuity of ancient contents in the folklore sources analyzes the role of Bahman in the murder of Rostam in narrative scrolls and epics. It also investigates an episode in Khāvarān-nāma of Khusfi (15 AD), which depicts Rostam being thrown in the camouflaged wells of Bahman. Finally, this research has proved that the killer of Rostam, in the oldest sources, was nobody other than Bahman, and in order to reduce the humiliation of being killed by a Kiani king, his guilt has been projected on the betrayal of a half-brother.

Volume 10, Issue 40 (9-2013)
Abstract

The anecdotes of Haft-Paykar, penned by the renowned Iranian poet, Nezami, maintain a structural discipline in relation to plot and contents. Although their narrations are linear in form, the other parts of these anecdotes maintain a unique structure in legendary symbolism. The background and presentation of solutions to different issues in these anecdotes, in majority of cases, is a reflection of the epical form. The terms of presentation of each section of these anecdotes are compatible with the symbolic contents and the spirit of each section.
In this study, efforts were made to make use of ancient role models and the Theory of Myths of Northrop Frye, in a bid to present an epical version of the poetic anecdote on ‘murder of dragon by Bahram and discovery of treasure by him’. At the end, it was cleared that the three structural sections of this anecdote show the background, and resolution of problems, which with the usage of symbolism and poetic atmosphere, reflect the repeated pattern of summer, winter, and spring myths. With due attention to these patterns: romance or irony and comedy are the literary form of each section. This approach to statement of anecdotes is observed in several Farsi traditional literary texts.

Volume 10, Issue 45 (8-2022)
Abstract

Objectives, questions, and hypotheses
The aim of this study is to study and analyze the image of Boyer-Ahmad's ethnic heroes based on Boyer-Ahmad's epic hymns. The importance of such researches is that through them, one can understand many traditions, beliefs, values ​​and the do's and don'ts of the owners of these poems. Epics as well as epic poems are very important and valuable in various aspects such as literature, preservation of national identity, transmission of values ​​and patriotic themes to other generations, and addressing them in the field of literary research is also essential. It is based on this approach that this issue has been investigated in this research.
 Result and discussion
One of the themes and manifestations of epic poems is the praise of national heroes who are accepted by all people by doing extraordinary deeds and capable warrior. In Shahnameh, Rostam is an example of an Iranian national hero and has always been respected. According to this tradition, the people of Boyer-Ahmad also praise the heroes in folk epic poems, who have led and guided them in various events, including wars. The heroes of these people were mostly capable warriors who showed their bravery in battles.
Among Boyer Ahmad ethnic heroes, we can mention Ki Lohrasb Batoli, Mir Gholam, Bibi Khan Qazi, Mullah Gholam Hossein Siahpour, Abdullah Khan Zarghampour and Naser Khan Taheri (Akbari, 1991). The most famous one is Ki Lohrasb and the most famous female warrior is Bibi Khan Qazi (Bibi Maryam plays the same role in Bakhtiari tribe). These heroes in folk poems and Boyer-Ahmad mourning odes, by unknown poets, have also been introduced and described (Shahbazi, 2019; Siahpour, 2005) and have a special place among the people of Boyer-Ahmad. Boyer-Ahmad's women usually choose the names of these ethnic heroes for their children, in order to preserve the memory and bravery of these heroes and transfer them to other generations (codes 9, 5, 3). A point that Bahman Beigi (1989) has also emphasized.
Before the battle, all Boyer-Ahmad's ethnic heroes boasted about breaking the spirit of the other side and put a lot of emphasis on their race. All of them fight against the Pahlavi regime (Reza Shah) and do not accept his policies towards tribes (Hosseini, 2002). Usually in folk epic poems and especially the mourning of Boyer-Ahmad's odes, Boyer-Ahmad's heroes are compared to lions. The reason for these similes is the transfer of the predatory spirit and the victory of this animal to the warriors. On the other hand, the main cause of such similes is the existence of mountain environments that make them hardworking, tolerant and strong people. Their most important weapons are mace, bow, mace with six prongs and shotguns.
Conclusion
After studying the subject of Boyer-Ahmad's ethnic heroes in their folk epic poems, many of the epic manifestations of the past can be seen in praising ethnic heroes, their weapons, including bows, maces and mace with six prongs, provocation of warriors and exaggerate in their description and the battles. One of the most important ethnic heroes of Boyer-Ahmad is Ki Lohrasb, the description of whom many folk epic poems have written included Mullah Gholam Hossein Siahpour, Abdullah Khan Zarghampour, Mir Gholam Shah Ghasemi, Vali Khan, Ali Khan and his wife Bibi Khan Ghazi and Nasser Khan Taheri are other ethnic heroes of Boyer Ahmad who all participated in various battles, they have played a significant role against Reza Shah's policies against the Boyer-Ahmad tribes. They have both fought and led the people. Most of these heroes, in order to provoke the people and their legitimacy and acceptance, boast before and during the battle and mention to their race, tribe and lineage. For this reason, Lohrasb, Ali Khan and Vali Khan have the title of Ki, a title that is specific to the Iranian Kiani kings. Their most important weapons are maces, bows and mace with six prongs, which show that they were the first weapons of their ancient to fight, and their background can be seen in Avesta and Shahnameh. The use of the shouting war song as well as the Shahnameh reading ceremony was the most important factor in inciting the warriors to war, and in addition to field data, this has been confirmed based on library reports; as we see in the time of Reza Shah and the Boyer Ahmad tribes.
References
A) Library
Akbari, H. (2002). Rejal Boyer-Ahmad. Fatimid
Bahman Beigi, M. (1989). Bukhara, my tribe. Agah.
Hosseini, S. (2002). Poetry, music and literature Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad. Fatimid.
Shahbazi, A. (2019). Boye Ahmad's epic verses or mourning odes. Bimonthly of Popular Culture and Literature, 7(1), 149-125.
Siahpour, K. (2005). Unequal battle. Historical Studies, 8, 171-207.
B) Field resources (interviewees)
Janipour, Keshvad. 80 years old. Rancher, Jalil Garden Village, Boyer Ahmad, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad. Code 3.
Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad. Code 5.
Saberi, Nikrad 86 years old. Teacher, Pehun village, Rostam, Fars. Code7.
Shakibaei, Mehrdad 63 years old.Farmer, Biara village,Dena. 

Volume 10, Issue 45 (8-2022)
Abstract

Introduction
Research Background
About the history of heroic wrestling, there are valuable books such as: History of ancient sports of Iran by Beyzaei - nicknamed Parto-; History and culture of Zourkhane by Ensafpour; Iran's history of wrestling by Abbasi; and Heroic ritual and Zourkhaneh custom by Aghayri, all of which provide valuable information about wrestling terms and techniques. In addition to these, several articles have been published about the wrestling, the most important of which are: "The history of wrestling in Iran" by Parviz, which discusses the oldest archaeological document about wrestling in Iran; "Wrestling and the archetype of the hero" by Khosravi et al., which, from the perspective of the theory of the collective unconscious, deals with the ritual of wrestling as the manifestation of the archetype of the hero's battle with the shadows (the battle of the protagonist with the antagonist); "Zoroastrian Sedre and Kosti and its reflection in Kormanji Wrestling and Ferdowsi's Shahnameh" by Bidaki, which refers to the influence of  wearing Sedre and Kosti in Zoroastrianism on the clothes and belts worn by wrestlers in the Kormanji Wrestling, as well as the reflection of this tradition in the Shahnameh.
So far as the ritual of wrestling and its laws are concerned, no research has been done on the scrolls, and this research is one of the first attempts.
Goals, questions, and assumptions
Although archaeological documents and ancient Persian historical and literary books provide valuable information about the wrestling in different periods of Iran's history, unfortunately, except for a few writings such as Soltani's Fotovvatnameh (by Waez Kashefi Sabzevari) (Kashefi Sabzevari, 1971, 312-306) and a book the manuscript of which belongs to the 9th century of the Hijri (Ra ten treatises on shooting and archery and warfare, 2018, 41-37), none of them, in particular, have dealt with the rituals, terms, laws, and techniques of wrestling. Accordingly, the only texts that provide valuable information in this regard, and they refer to the ritual of wrestling among wrestlers, are the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems; therefore, the purpose of this research is to provide a clear picture of wrestling and to show the rituals, terms, laws, and techniques of wrestling, what is neglected in many ancient texts.
This article tries to answer these questions: What are the differences between ancient wrestling and new wrestling? What terms have been forgotten in new wrestling? What techniques can be added to the treasure of new wrestling?
Main discussion
In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we are dealing with two types of wrestling: one, a wrestling for match, and the other, for battle. In the wrestling for match, two wrestlers, in the city square or in front of the soldiers, prove their strength, fight with each other. The one who knocks the other down is the winner. In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we have few examples of this type, the most important of which are: Rostam's wrestling with Afrasiab in Turan's capital square. In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, most of the wrestling are wrestling for battle, which sometimes changed the fate of a war and determined the winner of the battle.
In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we have rules of wrestling, which are considered errors today, but in the past, their use was free. In these wrestling, wrestlers either used combat uniforms or wore special clothes called Tonoke. In these wrestling, we encounter techniques that have been forgotten today and we only see their names in some scrolls or some Persian dictionary.
Conclusion
Although the sport of wrestling in Iran is several thousand years old, apart from the books and articles that have been published in the new era, and some books and short poems that are related to several centuries ago, written documents are not available about the ritual, the techniques and terms of wrestling. The narrative scrolls and late heroic poems are among the sources that can give us valuable information about the rules and terms of wrestling. These sources have discussed five laws about wrestling clearly and comprehensively, and some rare references are mentioned in this field. In addition, In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we can see valuable information about the place and time of the wrestling, the clothes of the wrestlers, the types of rare techniques, and also some terms of the old wrestlers.
References
Afashri, M., & Maroji, F. (2018). Ten treatises on shooting, archery and warfare (in Farsi). Cheshmeh.
Kashefi Sabzevari. H (1971). Fotovvat-nama Soltani (in Farsi) (edited by M. J. Mahjoub). Farhang Iran Foundation. 

Volume 11, Issue 44 (9-2014)
Abstract

 
 
 

Farhad Tahmasebi, PH.D.
Zohreh Saremi
 
Abstract
 
This article aims to analyze the process of depiction based on thoughts and imagination, through maintenance of the identity of displays. A structure is taken into consideration under the headings of central picture, tools of depiction, tone of depiction, function of depiction, and the imaginations regarding the text. Thereafter, different types of picture are introduced and identified based on shallow and in-depth views; lack of dynamism and dynamism, cinematic view, and open, large scale, restricted, closed and independent manifestations. This study has been based on research of manifestations of Shamlou’s poems, while eyeing different periods of poetry, and the criterion of shortness and pictorial nature of poems.
The research outcomes reveal a bond between the manifestations and fiber of poems in the works of Shamlou. Dynamic, cinematic, and in-depth manifestations are frequent in his poetry. The analysis of manifestations in the poems of Shamlou, show the rebellious and critical approach of Shamlou’s poems which are the result of his social and personal life.
 

Volume 11, Issue 50 (5-2023)
Abstract

The clothes used in ritual ceremonies show the continuation of an ancient mythological rite. The type and color of the clothes, decorations and objects used in rituals have certainly a symbolic root; though not everyone who is wearing these clothes or using these objects is necessarily aware of their symbolic meanings. This research, in an analytical and descriptive method, is dealing with the relation between clothing and ritual-mythological ceremonies. In every ritual ceremony, we are witnessing special clothes and tools related to that special ritual. Different nations and tribes have different mythological narratives, usually with a common root, regarding the process from primitive life moving towards the modern life. The subjects related to the industry, producing fabric and the method of putting on the clothes are normally ascribed to gods, while in epics they are attributed to the characters and heroes. The color of the ritual clothes is in harmony with the universal symbols and their roots could be found in the mythological beliefs.
 

Volume 11, Issue 52 (9-2023)
Abstract

The literature of popular culture, based on beliefs, thoughts, and desires, has featured many adaptations and revisions of mythical epic narratives. It has been used as a model to create new stories that afford insight into the general perception and perspectives on these tales. This study aims to undertake a comparative analysis of the characters, actions, and mythical epic motifs of the story “Kor-e Asb-e Siah” in Bakhtiari culture and the story of "Siavash" in Shahnameh using document analysis. The comparative investigation encompasses an examination of their social backgrounds, physical attributes, and actions of stepmom characters, horse characteristics, and seeking asylum in another land. The results demonstrated significant similarities between these two stories; the main protagonists are princes with indeterminate maternal lineage, possessing corporeal beauty and horses that share similar qualities such as color, intelligence, and the ability to jump high. Additionally, their stepmothers are seeking for a sexual desire, both ultimately taking refuge in another land, getting married, and building a city and palace for themselves. Nevertheless, there are divergences between these stories; the story of Siavash features more politically motivated character behavior, whereas “Kor-e Asb-e Siah” emphasizes on familial matters. Hence, it could be concluded that “Kor-e Asb-e Siah” in Bakhtiari culture is a creative retelling or adaptation of the story of Siavash.
 

Volume 12, Issue 48 (9-2015)
Abstract


 
. Ahmad Rezai. PH.D
 
Abstract
 
In this study, attention has been made to the denotation and connotation of dreams and the related functions and theories have been enumerated. The features of dreams in the epical and mystic-educational genres have been named and their possible differences and similarities have been researched. The result of this study shows in epical texts, dreams are more bonded with the text in regard to time, driving force, and elements. Hence, in these texts, dreams are more effective and involved in the process of narration, compared to the mystical literary genre, such that dream is an integral part of the related text. Additionally, the message or theme of the dream is more transparent in epical texts or is revealed upon the assistance of the dream reader, removing all existing ambiguities.
 
 

Volume 12, Issue 50 (3-2016)
Abstract

Afsoon Ghanbari
. GholamHussein GholamHusseinZadeh. PH.D
Abstract
On the status of chivalric literature, there are differences of opinion in classification of the Farsi literature genres. Some have considered this literary category as a sub-group of epic literature. Some others have referred to chivalric types as novels, while another group has categorized this genre under the heading of common literature. In this article, the assumed compatibility of epic and chivalric literature has been discussed and the relation between these two genres of literature has been studied, while the most important examples of these two groups of Farsi literary texts, namely the collection of poems of the celebrated and acclaimed Iranian poet Ferdowsi, referred to as Shah-Nameh, and the chivalric literary book named “Samak-e Ayyaar” have been selected. Thereafter, the intertextual relations between two books, based on the three foundation, productive, and interpretive oriented approaches have been scrutinized and the bonds between these two exemplary chivalric and epic literary books have been detailed and elaborated. Ultimately, it is concluded that given the meaningful relation between epic and chivalric texts, each of these two genres’ texts are categorized as sub-groups to a more general genre, stated as “heroic epic literature” genre.
 

Volume 12, Issue 58 (9-2024)
Abstract

This article aims to introduce one of the characteristics of the oral tradition in the Persian epic based on the achievements of the theory of oral expression. Therefore, it focused on battle tools and extracted their types and frequency. It selected Haft Lashkar scroll and the Shahnameh narration scroll as examples of oral epics, and Shahnameh and Shahryarnameh as examples of poetic epics, and in the process of this research, it also explored the prominence and fame of epic battle tools due to their attribution to kings and warriors, country/city, totemic animals, as well as exaggeration of weight and power. The poets of the epic writers/narrators have these special martial tools in the form and construction of "form statements" in the treasure of their minds and have naturally and unconsciously introduced them in the stage of composing the epic. The most important achievement of this research, in addition to the introduction of battle tools as "epic template statements", is that the difference in the frequency and This article aims to introduce one of the characteristics of the oral tradition in the Persian epic based on the achievements of the theory of oral expression. Therefore, it focused on battle tools and extracted their types and frequency. It selected Haft Lashkar scroll and the Shahnameh narration scroll as examples of oral epics, and Shahnameh and Shahryarnameh as examples of poetic epics, and in the process of this research, it also explored the prominence and fame of epic battle tools due to their attribution to kings and warriors, country/city, totemic animals, as well as exaggeration of weight and power. The poets of the epic writers/narrators have these special martial tools in the form and construction of "form statements" in the treasure of their minds and have naturally and unconsciously introduced them in the stage of composing the epic. The most important achievement of this research, in addition to the introduction of battle tools as "epic template statements", is that the difference in the frequency and variety of battle tools between the texts of epic verses and the scrolls of narrative, as well as the use of battle tools in texts before and at the same time as the Shahnameh, such as Yadgar Zariran, Rudaki's poems , Farrokhi Sistani, etc., shows that first of all, "epic battle tools style statements" are a legacy of the oral tradition of Persian epics, and the poets of epics/narrators, even Ferdowsi, have no role in inventing them. Moreover, the narrative scrolls were not only influenced by the poetic epic texts, but oral narratives also played a role in their formation.
 

Volume 12, Issue 59 (11-2024)
Abstract

Arab culture and history have always been the focus of Muslims everywhere after the arising of Islam, and Muslims have become familiar with Arab culture and history by learning Islamic sciences. One of the historical aspects of the Arabs has been the erosive tribal wars such as the war of "Basous" and "Dahes and Ghabra", which were mostly a reaction to their hard life and desert living. "Rand and Lashar" is also one of the popular epics of Balochistan, which has undeniable similarities to the Basous war during the Jahili period. This research, with a comparative historical approach and content analysis method, expresses the historical similarities of these two epics and wars. The hypothesis of the research is based on the principle that Rend and Lashar's saga is in some cases influenced by the Besous war between the two tribes of Bakr and Taghlib in the Jahili, and the similar climate and social structure and moral characteristics have paved the way for this influence. The result of the research, proving this hypothesis, shows that the Basous war and Rend and Lashar's saga were ignited by killing the camels of "Basous" and "Gohar" and these two women were the central characters in these wars. The other side of this impact is the causes of these wars, in which revenge and supporting the guest are the main motivations of both wars.
 
Fazel Asadi Amjad, Abdullah Rezaee,
Volume 14, Issue 53 (3-2021)
Abstract

The attempt to ‘post-modernize’ Iranian writers sometimes goes so far that the critic, without adequate justification, considers outstanding Iranian works which are rooted in the culture and tradition of this land to originate in and serve the same function and purpose as their Western counterparts. In this research, the authors unravel these Eurocentric interpretations in the case of Bahram Beyzaie’s Death of Yazdgerd. Meanwhile, the goal is not to introduce Beyzaie as an exclusively Iranian playwright and overlook his cosmopolitan bent. More specifically, Beyzaie’s Death of Yazdgerd will be explored in terms of Bertolt Brecht’s epic theater. Thereby, Beyzaie’s twofold accomplishment in tailoring Brecht for the Iranian context and drawing on indigenous traditions of performative arts will be elaborated. Out of the vast body of Brecht’s method, this study focuses on his approach to history and his conviction in the contingency of the status quo and, hence, the possibility for change and reform even at the bleakest moments. The second line of this study concerns the parallel usage of certain techniques by Brecht and Beyzaie to achieve the so-called “distancing effect.” Given the multiple and occasionally incompatible readings put forth regarding Brecht's drama, the authors have adopted the holistic approach of Fredric Jameson to the subject matter.

 Introduction
In the concluding chapter of Namayesh dar Iran, Bahram Beyzaie acknowledges that in the cultural and material exchange that the East (including Iran) had with the West, both were impressed by the other side in different ways. Nevertheless, he adds, this contract was not always proportionate, so that a country like Iran lost heart and felt cowed by the greater industrial and military power of Europe (Beyzaie, 2015). According to Beyzaie, whereas the West adopted a critical attitude toward whatever was eastern and adapted them to its own spirit and outlook so much that it squeezed something western out of them, Iran was content to blindly mimic the West and be a simple receiver. This, Beyzaie contends, also occurred in the area of drama. Beyzaie rightly asserts that it was quite possible to harness performative techniques and traditional values of indigenous popular drama while channeling its thematic dimensions toward the enlightening realistic thought of the modern age so that a national drama which takes account of new developments and advancements could be produced.
In this paper, it is claimed that Beyzaie was the first to fulfill the abovementioned twofold task of preserving effective aboriginal dramatic conventions of Persian drama and assimilating the liberal/critical perspective of modern European drama. To this end, we will show how Beyzaie’s Death of Yazdgerd (2014) deploys native dramatic elements of Persian drama that correspond to some of the characteristics of Bertolt Brecht’s “epic theater.”
 
Method
To better understand Brecht's epic drama, we draw on Fredric Jameson's reinterpretation of the German playwright in Brecht and Method (1998). According to Jameson, Brecht plays the role of a historical catalyst and serves as an empowering model in the development of emergent non-Western dramas; besides, he facilitates realizing untapped potentialities of Eastern cultures and arts by people who have recently been liberated from European colonialism (p. 18). We believe Bahram Beyzaie’s Death of Yazdgerd is a perfect example of such unexplored possibilities.
Discussion
Beyzaie does not provide a definitive account of what actually happened to the Sassanid King and invites the audience to make their own inferences. This stress on uncertainty and the possibility of viewing a subject through multiple perspective enables Beyzaie to reinterpret the Iranian performing art such that it could meet the challenge of modernity, which he critically confronts “with an uncompromisingly secular gaze” (Dabashi 2001, p. 76).
In dealing with historical and mythical issues, Beyzaie—following Brecht—does not seek to merely relate how the last Sassanid King died; rather, one might hypothesize, he implies that the conventional xenophobic narrative—that a handful of backward and barbaric Arabs plundered Iran and ruled over its people—may not be necessarily true.
Beyzaie considers Brechtian alienation effect to have been the product of the East taken up by the West. He provides numerous techniques that traditional Persian drama has utilized to disabuse the audience of the notion that what they watch is reality, and thus it prevents them from identifying with the characters. This gesture induces a passive reaction in people and precludes any endeavor on their part to reform the society. This outlook, largely compatible with epic theater, underpins Death of Yazdgerd. One of the most characteristic techniques conductive to the realization of the alienation effect which has been exploited here and recommended by Brecht is the extensive use of masks. In Death of Yazdgerd masks and robes generally have been used effectively to illustrate that many deep-seated notions which have been taken for granted are indeed based on deceptive appearances and devoid of any substantial content. Transposition of the play into the past and using third-person point of view to narrate the events are two further suggestions made by Brecht for producing the alienation effect (1964, p. 138). In Beyzaie’s play, these techniques have been exploited throughout, for the entire play revolves around a historical event - i.e. the narrative of what happened to the late King after he entered the miller’s shack - which the characters as second players restage for the King’s men. In Death of Yazdgerd, theatricality is foregrounded, among others, through the stage directions that are explicitly mentioned, itself another technique proposed by Brecht (1964, p. 138).
Conclusion
Beyzaie’s Death of Yazdgerd is an cogent example of Pascale Casanova’s thesis that writers gain domestic and global recognition by, first, appropriating their national artistic tradition and, second, harnessing the international venues of the art in question (2004, pp. 40-41). In the case of the former, Beyzaie utilizes the indigenous genre of taqlid. As for the latter, we underscored the way Beyzaie appropriates Brecht’s epic theater in this play.
 
References
Brecht, B. (1964). Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic. Trans. John Willett. New York: Hill and Wang.
Beyzāie, B. (2014). Marg-e Yazdgerd: Majles-e Shahkoshi. 11th ed. Tehrān: Enteshārāt-e Rowshangarān va Motāle’at-e Zanān. [In Persian]
---. (2015). Namāyesh dar Iran. 10th ed. Tehrān: Enteshārāt-e Rowshangarān va Motāle’at-e Zanān. [In Persian]
Casanova, P. (2004). The World Republic of Letters. Trans. M. B. Debevoise. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Dabashi, H. (2001). Close up; Iranian Cinema, Past, Present and Future. New York: Verso.
Jameson, F. (1998). Brecht and Method. London: Verso.
 
Seyedeh Maryam Ameli Rezaei,
Volume 15, Issue 57 (7-2022)
Abstract

Archetypic criticism is an approach which has had considerable development in writing the scientific papers in recent decades. It is mostly used in literary studies and is interconnected to the literature. Designed by a research plan, this paper studies the archetypic criticism in Iran discussed in literary criticism in the academic papers related to the epic genre, and analyzes the discourse of archetypic criticism, its repetitive elements and also the development of such elements in papers. It starts by reviewing the works of effective individuals on introducing archetypic criticism, its discourse, its historical and thematic developments in epic genre, employing a descriptive- analytical method. Interdisciplinary studies have focused on archetypic approach since the 1960s. In the 1980s and 1990s, many authors especially those who are now well-known in this field, opened a new way in studies of archetypic criticism. The dominance of content analyses, comparative reading and discovering the meaning, are some considerable specifications of papers of this period. During the 2010s many academic papers were published on this matter and the current paper has investigated their structure and method.
Extended Abstract
Archetypic criticism is an approach which has been considerably developed in recent decades. This type of criticism is mostly used in literary studies. Derived from the research plan, this paper studies and analyzes the archetypic criticism in Iran in academic papers related to the epic genre, and analyzes the discourse of archetypic criticism, its repetitive elements and also the development of such elements in papers. As already mentioned, Studies on Shahnameh [The Book of Kings] were mostly shaped by orientalism at the beginning of the century. Following nationalism and the establishment of new concepts such as government- people, epic studies and especially works focusing on Shahnameh, expanded in an extensive form. Before the 1950s, they were mostly related to the content analyses, vocabulary and linguistic studies, and so they could be considered as historical and sociological introductions to Shahnameh. From the 1950s/1960s, psychological and mythological studies in literary studies were introduced to the field.  At first, papers and books on Shahnameh, written at the beginning of the century, were reviewed and then papers on archetypic criticism of epic genre from the 1990s were studied. The style of writing has seemingly changed during the 2000s and 2010s. Scientific research journals provide an academic requirement for essay writing with the predetermined methodologies. Many academic papers were produced within these two decades. Their main structure was studying the details, choosing two or more elements and trying to employ the theory in the context. As observed in many papers, this approach has both advantages and disadvantages. In the 2000s, attention has been given to visual specifications and natural elements in myths but in the 2010s, the characters were related to more complicated definitions of archetypic criticism such as shadow, persona and perfection of hero. Travel, rebirth and decorum patterns are apparently the most significant ones in this period.
 

میلاد جعفرپور, Abbas Mohammadian,
Volume 16, Issue 61 (7-2023)
Abstract

Knowledge of literary genres is one of the oldest and most influential intertextual approaches that has been used to classify texts since the past and has been subject to change. But the background of the theory of genres in Iran is less than a century, and its justified application in a comprehensive way in many fields and literary trends is still facing ambiguities and challenges. For example, in classifying ancient narratives, the question arises: on what basis and with what considerations can the dominant literary genres in these texts be proved? The lack of serious research and criticism in response to this question has led researchers over the decades to classify ancient Persian stories by resorting to self-invented, unscientific literary terms without methodological explanation, while the common terms not only fail to give a comprehensive indication of the content and linguistic characteristics of such narratives, but even keep them in a genre indecision or lead them to several similar genres. Since one of the functions of motif study is to determine the literary genre of the texts, the present study has attempted to draw on the Aristotelian theory of genres to utilize this potential talent and prove for the first time through the method of inductive reasoning and relying on the statistical community based on the study various motifs of three stories of Abu Tahir Tarsusi that their literary genres belong to the epic.
Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
Prose stories, as one of the oldest currents of Persian literature, are voluminous and generally sequential texts (with supplementary appendices) and report on the actions of kings, generals, and warriors who are often in the shadow of history or in a few cases are basically imaginary and are considered to be created by the minds of storytellers.
1-1. Significance of the Study
Despite their ancient background, the Persian prose epics have not yet found a certain place in the history of Persian literature from the point of view of literary genres, and in research they are generally presented under vague terms such as story, legend, romance, folktale, fantasy, or romance. The above terms, in the absence of comprehensive information on the content and linguistic characteristics, are unable to determine the parent literary genre or subgenre for the above narratives, and often focus unilaterally on the type of narrative or some elements of the story, and sometimes overlap with other non-homogeneous texts. And they leave the literary genre of the text in limbo. Most importantly, researchers have not yet found a methodological and theoretical approach or a logical explanation to justify the use of these terms for the texts in question.
1-2. Problem
The main problem is how to get beyond the stage of asserting the genre and unrelated literary terms and reach the stage of hypothesizing the definition of literary genre and proving it through in-text investigations. So far, the researchers who have written in the field of criticism of fictional narratives have referred to the literary genre of fictional narratives only with short phrases and self-made titles, but the present research attempts to rely on the frequency of the statistical approach and the representation of the statistical community, the hypothesis of a coherent flow of narratives. Prove a story in the literary genre of the epic.
1-3. The Purpose and Method
The main purpose of the study is on the function of the thematic approach in determining the literary genre of the narrative, using a statistical method. Therefore, based on the theory of Aristotelian genres and using the thematic approach, the themes mentioned in the three narratives of Dārāb-Nāmeh, Qirān Habaši, Musayyab-Nāmeh were first analyzed in an inductive manner and divided into four sections: Epic and Ayyāri, Lyrical, Amazing and Dignity. Based on the obtained frequency results, the premise of determining their literary type is then proved.
1-4. Literature Review
Although studies have been done in the last decade on the subject of literary genre in the form of authorship and translation, the field of research focusing on Persian literature has been completely neglected due to the importance of motif in determining the literary genre of the text, and there is no research to support this.
1-5. Theoretical Basis
1-5-1. Motif
Motif is one of the terms defined by Russian formalists to understand the cause-effect relationships of the components of a narrative. "Motif" refers to structural and semantic elements such as actions, events, concepts, and objects that have become exemplary elements through repetition. Although it is not considered a fixed part of the narrative, it is a temporary feature that gains importance in a particular narrative situation and usually due to its repetition. Besides the central role of subtexts in knowing the cause-effect relationships of the components of the narrative, the most important function of subtexts is to help in the classification and typology of narratives, which has not received much attention so far.
1-5-2. Literary Genres
If we are to have a scientific view of literature, we should be able to classify literary works as far as possible, and to place similar kinds of literary works in special classes relatively rather than absolutely. After all, the most important characteristic of science is that it can classify; this task is accomplished in literary studies by the approach of "literary genres." Motif is considered one of the main characteristics of literary genres, and its role in this field has not received much attention so far. A literary genre is characterized by a set of features and formal structures that occur in an orderly, cohesive, and simultaneous manner, and motif is one of the most important features mentioned.

1-6. The Case
Since Abu Taher Tarsusi is considered the most prominent narrator in the field of ancient Persian prose narratives and a considerable number of authentic fictional texts are also attributed to him, motif analysis was given preference in determining the literary text type on the basis of the three selected narratives by Tarsusi, which are briefly presented below.
1-6-1. Abu Taher Tarsusi
Abu Taher Tarsusi was born at the beginning of the second half of the fifth century of the Hijri (450 AH) and the last period of his life coincided with the end of the first decade of the second half of the sixth century of the Hijri (560 AH). His works include Dārāb-Nāmeh, Qirān Habaši, Musayyab-Nāmeh, Abu Muslim-Nāmeh, Qahramān-Nāmeh, Farāmarz-Nāmeh, Houšang-Nāmeh, Ayyār-Nāmeh, Tavārikh-Nāmeh.
2. Discussion
2-1. Epic and Ayyāri Motifs
According to the results, 1534 instances of common epic and Ayyāri motifs were observed in all three narratives, and among them, Abu Taher Tarsusi provided the highest number of epic and Ayyāri motifs in Qirān Habaši with 549 instances. This is followed by Musayyab-Nāmeh with 538 cases and Dārāb-Nāmeh with 447 cases in second and third place.
2-2. Lyrical motifs
Based on the results, 270 instances of common lyrical motifs were observed in all three narratives, of which Abu Taher Tarsusi in Qirān Habaši provided the most space for lyrical motifs in Qirān Habaši with 125 instances. This is followed by Dārāb-Nāmeh with 117 instances and Musayyab-Nāmeh with 28 instances in second and third place.
2-3. Amazing motifs
Based on the results, 433 instances of surprising common motifs were observed in the three narratives, of which Abu Taher Tarsusi provided the most space for the occurrence of surprising motifs in Dārāb-Nāmeh with 303 instances. This is followed by Qirān Habaši with 77 cases and the Musayyab-Nāmeh with 53 cases in second and third place.
2-4. Dignity motifs
Based on the results, 275 common motifs of dignity were observed in the three narratives, of which Abu Taher Tarsusi in Dārāb-Nāmeh provided the most space for the expression of dignity motifs with 190 instances. This is followed by Qirān Habaši with 63 instances and Musayyab-Nāmeh with 22 instances in second and third place, respectively.
3. Conclusion
After examining the three narratives of Dārāb-Nāmeh, Qirān Habaši and Musayyab-Nāmeh using the motif analysis approach and evaluating the set of their motifs in four parts, according to the report, a total of 2512 common motifs have been identified from these narratives. With 1534 cases, amazing motifs with 433 cases, dignity motifs with 275 cases, and lyrical motifs with 270 cases have the highest frequency in the narratives. Based on this content approach, the three mentioned narratives show their obvious belonging to the epic genre among the long traditional narratives of Iran due to the predominance of epic motifs in them.
 

Volume 16, Issue 96 (1-2020)
Abstract

Pistachio is one of the most important strategic agricultural products of Iran which is extremely important from different economic and social aspects. Paying more attention to maintaining the quality of the crop after harvest is also important to other crops for higher yields. In this study, in order to evaluate the quality, physicochemical and organoleptic properties, pistachio cultivar Ohadi was prepared and dried with epicarp (outer skin) and conventional method (without epicarp). In the usual method, with water floatation, Sinkers (underwater) and floaters pistachios were isolated and treated as two separate treatments. At the end of the first, second and third month after pistachio drying, samples were taken from each treatment and randomized complete block design of physical properties (total weight, kernel weight, shell skin weight, moisture content and shell skin color). Chemical properties (fat percentage, carbohydrate, protein, fiber, ash, dry matter, percentage of phenolic compounds and oil peroxide number), organoleptic properties (taste, odor, appearance and texture) it placed. The results showed that processed with epicarp method and conventional method had no significant difference in physical and organoleptic properties at the 5% level of Duncan Multiple Range Test. There were no differences in chemical properties between percentages of carbohydrate, protein, fiber, ash and dry matter. But the percentage of fat was lower than the treated samples sinkers (under water). The presence of higher phenol content and lower peroxide content showed an increase in the quality of processed pistachios with epicarp. While this method saves water and energy consumption and reduces environmental hazards caused by waste and wastewater from conventional processing, it can improve the antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds present in our skin for producing healthy pistachios.
 


Volume 17, Issue 70 (5-2020)
Abstract

Translation and publication of the Persian novel in the epic genre after the revolution and war; especially in the West, despite the rapid, growth of quantity, major changes and new forms of content, has been very slow. It seems, Regardless of the political aspects and disagreement of the sacred and ideological content of these works with a Western audience, at least, Failure to discover and selecting suitable examples of existing novels – which have most harmony with Western taste - is something that by Attention and correction, can be Reinforcement for Publication and promotion these works outside Iran's borders. In this article, a random selection of war novels based on rhetorical (audience-based) criticism, Based on the national psychology of the English people as exemplified, in the manner of Kenneth Burke, is criticized and analyzed. The critique and analysis of the three novels "Clash" "Under the Cherry Tree" and "In Search of me", which are almost at the top, below and in the middle of this adaptive spectrum, are fully embodied. The result is a wide and varied range of maximum to minimum conformations, as the capacity for acceptance and persuasion by the English audience. So it seems, on the possibility of promoting and propagation a Persian novel in England, we should have to go into detail: some of these works are well-suited to be present in the UK's cultural space, and some are not. A group may also, with some form of editing, find the context needed to better communicate and attract Western audiences for persuasion and influence. The results can also serve as a mirror for Iranian writers to expand their global audience. 
 

Volume 19, Issue 77 (12-2022)
Abstract

A newfound manuscript which is known as Kolliat-e Garshaspname , is one of the scrolls which Its final form  has been written in Qajar era.The author of this manuscript, Morshed Gholi, has prepared this mentioned manuscript  based on a manuscript by Sef Aldin which had been related to the Safavid era (Shah  Tahmasp ) . The review of this manuscript shows that the writer has been familiar with the multiplicity of narations and has not been a mere copywriter. One of noticeble interesting narration is the death of Nariman and Garshasb in the Sepandkooh. In spite of Garshaspname naration, in this naraition, Garshasb doesn't die of natural death and is killed by the force of magnetism. The authors of this article not only introduce this manuscript but also show its linguistic and stylistic features. Based on this study, the manuscript has a simple language and using ellipsis and participle are the obvious Syntactic features of the manuscript. In terms of rhetorical aspects mainly, contains, exaggeration, irony and similes, which are mostly sensational, banal and streotype. In addition Rhyme and pun rarely exist in this manuscripton.



Volume 21, Issue 1 (1-2014)
Abstract

This paper aims to explore the relationship between epic poetry and national self-consciousness and in particular study how Shahnameh may be analyzed from this angle. What is the relationship between the Shahnameh and the Iranian national self-consciousness? What can one say about the Iranian national self-consciousness on the basis of this text? What does the text reveal about the Iranian identity? A related question should also be answered, is the Shahnameh an epic? This is not a pedantic question concerned merely with definitions and labels. As will become clear, an epic reveals a great deal about the national consciousness of the people to whom it belongs (or who belong to it); to identify a poem as an epic, is to be making an important statement about the national consciousness of a people. The question of whether the Shahnameh is an epic or not is hence far from a pedantic one. It takes us right into the heart of Iranian national consciousness

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