Literary Interdisciplinary Research

Comparative and archetypal analysis of nature manifestations in the poems of Roza Jamali and Ghadeh al-Samman

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Fatemeh TaghiNezhad 1
Mohtasham Mohammadi 2
Alimohammad mahmoudi 3

1 Ph.D. student of Persian language and literature, Salman Farsi State University, Kazeroon

2 Associate Professor Department of Persian Language and Literature, Salman Farsi University

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Salman Farsi University

10.30465/lir.2024.8884
Abstract
Introduction
This paper, entitled "A Comparative Analysis of Ancient Patterns of Natural Elements in the Poems of Rosa Jamali and Ghadah Al-Samman," investigates the works of these two poets through a comparative lens. The rationale for juxtaposing their oeuvres lies in the marked parallelism evinced by their diction and ideological underpinnings. More specifically, an examination of the poetic works of these tow poets reveals a demonstrably shared vocabulary. This shared vocabulary likely originates from a profound concordance in their fundamental wellsprings of inspiration. Moreover, both poets exhibit a marked predilection for symbolic language. Through this symbolic language, their most intimate thoughts and emotions find expression within a mythological and poetic framework. This mode of communication serves as a conduit for the poets to unveil the latent archetypal constructs embedded within their subconscious minds, employing a rich tapestry of allegorical and imaginative language. Their poetry exhibits a shared repertoire of archetypes that draw upon fundamental natural elements. These elements encompass water, the sea, trees, forests, the sky, the moon, the earth, and others, representing the aquatic, botanical, celestial, and terrestrial realms. Given that these elements embody core concepts such as birth, life, immortality, growth, nurture, and even death, they can be interpreted as distinctly feminine symbols.
The objective of this research has been to ascertain the extent to which these two poets exhibit congruence and affinity in terms of their feminine language, mentality, and manner of employing vocabulary in poetry. Furthermore, the study has aimed to identify the shared archetypal motifs present in their works and elucidate how they have manifested feminine emotions through the utilization of such elements. Regarding the research background and the comparative study of the poetry of Rosa Jamali and Ghadah al-Samman, it is noteworthy that no prior research has been undertaken specifically in this area or under a related title. However, to delve into the discussion of vocabulary usage, the convergence of thought, and feminine sentiment between Iranian poets and contemporary Arabic literature, it is necessary to consult relevant sources. These include articles such as: "Rebellion and Norm-Violation in the Poetry of Forough Farrokhzad and Ghadah al-Samman" (Davoudi-Moghaddam and Taheri: 2016) and "A Psychoanalytic Analysis of the Idealistic Poetry of Simin Behbahani and Ghadah al-Samman Based on Karen Horney's Theory" (Arianzad, Tahmasbi, Hatampour, and Sorkhi, 2020), which indicate the existence of shared linguistic and thematic elements between al-Samman's poetry and the works of contemporary Iranian female poets. A comparative study of the poetry of these two poets has not yet been conducted from any perspective, including psychoanalytic criticism and feminine discourse, and this research gap is palpable and necessitates such a comparative examination. The poetic evidence pertaining to these two poets demonstrated that since they are both women, the archetypes they have incorporated into their verses derive from feminine emotions and sentiments emanating from their gender identity. This dearth of scholarly attention paid to comparatively analyzing the works of these two female poets from psychoanalytic and feminist critical lenses represents a lacuna in the existing literature that merits being addressed through rigorous academic inquiry delving into the gendered experiences and subjectivities that manifestly inform and shape their respective poetic oeuvres.
 
Methodology
The research method employed is analytical and comparative. To collect data, the library research method was utilized, and the research population encompasses the entire poetic works of Rosa Jamali and Ghadah Al-Samman. The research sample consists of the poems containing recurrent and shared vocabularies related to elements of nature in the poetry of these two poets, which harbor archetypal concepts that have been comparatively analyzed in this study through documented and authoritative references.
 
Findings
A significant finding of this research is the recurrent and shared natural elements and vocabularies in the poetry of both poets, indicative of their mythical and archetypal language, which include: aquatic elements such as water, ocean, and sea; celestial elements including the sky, clouds, moon, snow, and sparrow; terrestrial elements encompassing the earth, cave, corridor, depth, and profundity; and botanical elements such as trees, forests, poplars, and apples. Additionally, geometric shapes are present in the verses of both poets, among which the circle is a shared motif symbolizing unity and eternity.
Discussion and Conclusion
The most significant finding of this research is that Rosa Jamali is an earthly poet who repeatedly identifies herself with this vital natural element. She even likens herself to the circular shape of the earth. Ghadah Al-Samman, the Arab poet, also embodies feminine eternity through metaphorically equating herself with trees and forests, repeatedly associating herself with these botanical and natural elements. The archetype of growth is prominent in this poet's verses. Another recommendation is the comparative analysis of these two poets' works from a particularistic perspective, one instance being their meticulous and analogous treatment of the concept of time, wherein both have adopted an intricate and detailed approach.

Keywords

comparative literature
Roza Jamali
Ghadeh al-Samman
nature
archetype

Subjects

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Literary Interdisciplinary Research
Volume 6, Issue 12
September 2024
Pages 63-93

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