Sociological Analysis of the Role of Social Classes in the Rise and Fall of the Peasant's Uprising in the Novel

Adhami, Hossein; Mokhtari, Masroureh; Zahiri Nav, Bizhan

doi:10.30465/lir.2025.47776.1807

Sociological Analysis of the Role of Social Classes in the Rise and Fall of the Peasant's Uprising in the Novel "Kelidar" based on Pierre Bourdieu's Theory

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hossein Adhami ¹

masroureh mokhtari ²

bizhan zahiri nav ²

¹ PhD student of Persian language and literature University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

² Professor of the Department of Persian Language and Literature University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

https://doi.org/10.30465/lir.2025.47776.1807

Abstract

Introduction
One of the writers who shone in creating social novels is Mahmoud Dowlatabadi (born August 1, 1940, in Sabzevar). Dowlatabadi's novels, especially his novel "Kelidar," are among the best contemporary realistic works. This novel possesses significant sociological characteristics in both its volume and structure. In this work, Dowlatabadi addresses one of the peasant uprisings in Iran during the tumultuous period following World War II in the 1940s. This monumental ten-volume novel narrates the uprising of an exiled Kurdish family in the Sabzevar region of Khorasan, who take up arms against the oppression of landlords and are ultimately severely suppressed due to betrayals and plots by these landlords. The author depicts this uprising, which coincided with his childhood, in an epic narrative filled with numerous characters, realistically reporting the socio-political conditions of society during that time. The abundance of characters and events, meticulous attention to detail, use of vocabulary and expressions from the Khorasani dialect, reflection of local culture, beliefs, and customs, along with the narration of historical events from that period, all contribute to making this novel a significant realistic work. In "Kelidar," we encounter a class-based society where each character embodies their class characteristics. In fact, this novel narrates a class struggle in which the lower classes eventually form one of the uprisings of the 1940s to free themselves from the oppression and exploitation of the upper classes.

Materials & Methods
The present research aims to descriptively and analytically examine the social space of the realistic novel "Kelidar" based on Pierre Bourdieu's sociological theories and analyze the reasons for the emergence and decline of the peasant uprising based on the role of the social classes involved in it.

Discussion & Result
The novel "Kelidar," as a realistic work, portrays the class society of Iran during the years following World War II. Dowlatabadi, by creating numerous characters from different classes, delves into the inner layers of these classes and reveals the dialectical relationships among them. In this novel, the lower classes (peasants and villagers) are in conflict and tension with the upper classes (landlords and government agents). This confrontation recalls the political pattern presented by Marxist theory. In this novel, the lower classes unite under the leadership of Gol Mohammad to rise against the landlords and achieve some degree of success; however, this uprising does not lead to the ultimate goal of Marxism, which is the collapse of the capitalist system and the establishment of a classless society. Although the class structure and conflict among classes can somewhat align with Marxist classification, the characteristics of the class society depicted in "Kelidar" are more compatible with Bourdieu's sociological model. This is because in this novel, each character possesses specific habits corresponding to their class. These habits are unconsciously ingrained in the characters' behaviors and shape their actions within the narrative.

Conclusion
Aside from the existing historical documents and information regarding the overall nature of this uprising, which undoubtedly influenced this novel, the social world of this work also somewhat illustrates the reasons for the decline and failure of this uprising. One of the most important reasons is the lack of preparedness among the lower classes; although the peasant classes were fed up with the oppression and exploitation by the landlords, they were still not ready for such an uprising. The absence of self-belief among these classes and the internalization of the rules of domination in their subconscious undermine the uprising. On the one hand, the leader of the uprising—Gol Mohammad—experiences a lack of foresight and planning due to his disconnection from the intellectual class, which Bourdieu emphasizes as essential in social movements, thus discouraging the lower classes about the future of the uprising. On the other hand, the leader himself becomes spiritually doubtful and unstable. This leads to an internal collapse of the uprising, causing opportunities to slip away one after another. Meanwhile, on the opposing front, landlords unite against each other and, considering political changes in the country and government concentration on suppressing scattered uprisings, they seize this golden opportunity and involve the government in their efforts. In Bourdieu's sociological theory, the state is a super-capital that exerts power over all fields and treats all classes and social groups as tools in its hands. The state not only monopolizes physical violence (military and police) but also imposes its will on its opponents by internalizing its dominance over society—what Bourdieu terms symbolic violence. Therefore, in "Kelidar," although the state initially has a weak presence, it ultimately delivers a final blow to the uprising when it intervenes in suppressing it. Utilizing its symbolic power by granting titles and positions, it places local thugs and rebels at the forefront of repression, then violently and bloodily executes the leaders of the uprising, effectively crushing this rebellion.

Keywords

Mahmoud Dolatabadi

Kleidar

Pierre Bourdieu

Social Classes

Symbolic Violence

Subjects

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