Literary Interdisciplinary Research

Abstract Motherhood is a concept that its representation in the real world is influenced by theories, history, legends and constructions that are institutionalized in the culture of a nation. In this research, considering the importance of motherhood in young adults' novels, we have investigated the types of mothers' subjectivity. The purpose of this research is to investigate the variety of mothers' subjectivity in the history of young adults' novels. The approach of the research was to examine the subject and power from Foucault point of view and other theorists, and the research method was qualitative and inductive data analysis. For this purpose, more than 30 fiction works from the 5 recent decades have been reviewed and, in this research, 15 examples in 6 categories of mothers' subjectivity have been extracted. The results of the research show that the subjectivity of mothers in these works from the 50s until now, according to the passage of time, does not vary much and is always defined under the influence of power relations. After examining the works, 6 categories of subjectivity for mothers can be listed: 1. None subjectivity; 2. objective; 3. Accomplice subject; 4. mediating subjectivity (emphasized femininity); 5. discourse subjectivity; 6. Economic subject.

Abstract Trauma is an experience beyond the capacity of language to represent and occurs when a traumatic event is experienced before conscious understanding. Žižek considers any exposure to a traumatic event to be trauma, and Lacan describes the individual's inability to represent that event as a fact. This research, using a descriptive-analytical method, examines and analyzes trauma in Reza Zangiabadi's story Khūn Khargūš (Rabbit's Blood). The purpose of this research is to psychoanalyze the nature of trauma and how it is represented in the characters of the novel. Fariba, the main character of the story, suffers from deep psychological wounds in the face of violence, poverty, and patriarchal domination, which are reflected in her narration, dialogues, meaningful silences, and stuttering. Fariba is not only a symbol of a damaged individual but also a reflection of repressed femininity in a patriarchal society. The present narrative presents trauma by breaking the timeline, creating a nightmarish atmosphere, and using linguistic techniques. Based on the analysis, Rabbit's Blood is a literary depiction of the psychological wounds that lie in the unconscious layers of the characters and can only emerge through linguistic and narrative failures. This novel is an embodiment of silence and stuttering in the face of violence, poverty, despair, and loneliness; something that falls within the realm of the Lacanian real.

Abstract Pictorial rugs of the Qajar period reflect the social, cultural, and artistic conditions of their time. Among literary themes, Nezami Ganjavi’s Khosrow and Shirin, composed in the 6th century AH, appears more frequently than other narratives on these rugs. This study aims to uncover the hidden meaning behind the depiction of the meeting between Shirin and Farhad on pictorial rugs, and the research question is how these rugs can be analyzed based on the iconological approach and Panofsky’s theories. This fundamental research follows a descriptive–analytical method. The samples include two rugs depicting the meeting of Shirin and Farhad, and data were collected through library research. The findings show that the spread of the myth of the “foreign woman” in the Qajar period reinforced the credibility of Shirin’s character in Nezami’s tale and contributed to the frequent representation of this story in pictorial rugs. The creation of 'Shirin and Farhad meeting' on carpets reflects an event in the collective unconscious influenced by the West and the spirit of the Qajar era. The depiction of Shirin and Farhad meeting could reference Qajar society’s unfavorable circumstances, gender discrimination, and the Shah and courtiers’ plots to eliminate experienced individuals.

Abstract Many researchers of the 20th century in the field of language and literature sought to provide a reasoned and regular framework for that form by analysing the structure of literary types, analysing their structure in the form of a few simple forms. Among the forms in question, for which they believed that a grammar could be prepared, was an enigma; but such a grammar was never fulfilled;However, it seems possible to extract common and repeated elements by analysing the structure of different enigmas and putting together the frequently used components in their structure. By putting them together, a grammar for this form can be compiled.

Based on this, in the current research, while examining and analyzing the definition of enigma and its connection with other forms such as riddles, irony, and metaphor, we have extracted the most frequent components in the structure of enigma with the inductive method based on description and analysis. The result of the research shows that, in addition to the "questioning" aspect, the six elements of paradox, opposition, metaphor, simile, personification, animism, and collocation are the basic elements of enigma; Perhaps enigma uses one of these elements or two, three, or all six elements. Based on the use of the mentioned elements, 64 forms can be considered for the grammar of the enigma, but the analysis of several enigmas showed that five patterns have more frequency. In these five patterns, simile is the main component, while metaphor, paradox, and personification are also used in four patterns.

Abstract This article employs a theoretical-analytical approach and a qualitative-descriptive method to integrate four major theories of humor-superiority, incongruity, relief, and labeling-into a unified framework for literary analysis. Each theory illuminates a distinct dimension of humor’s mechanism. The superiority theory, rooted in classical Greek philosophy, interprets humor as arising from a sense of dominance and the recognition of others’ shortcomings. The incongruity theory views humor as a response to the sudden clash between expectation and reality. Relief theory, grounded in psychology, explains humor as a means of releasing internal tension and suppressed emotions. Labeling theory, informed by sociological perspectives, examines humor’s role in critiquing and renegotiating social labels and norms. Analyses of Persian and English poetic examples demonstrate that these theories function complementarily, enabling a multilayered understanding of comic expression. The findings suggest that humor, beyond entertainment, operates as a critical tool for exposing dysfunction, recasting power relations, and managing psychological pressures. Integrating these four theories provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature, structure, and functions of humor and opens new avenues for future research across literary, cultural, political, and psychological domains.

Abstract Human beings continuously communicate with each other and they employ language functions to transmit the concepts and meanings in this social relationship. In this research the discourse of major Iranian and Turani characters with Siyavash in Shahname will be analyzed to be clarified to what extent the emotive, conative, phatic, referential, poetic and metalingual language functions are employed to transmit the ideas and concepts. Moreover, the functions having more frequencies will be identified. In this descriptive- analytical study the sampling is purposeful and the instrumentation is the checklist including the language functions of communicative model of Jakobson (1960 & 1995). The results show that the most frequent language function is conative in Iranian discourse (Keykavous, Sudabeh, Rustam) with Siyavash while the phatic function is the most frequent in discourse of major character of Turan (Afrasiab, Piran, Garsivaz and Farigis) with him. The findings also indicate that major Iranian characters in this story use language to influence on Siyavash and to persuade him to accept their ideas while major Turani characters employ language to make solidarity approach him and create a friendly atmosphere.

Abstract The present research, within the scope of interdisciplinary studies, seeks to explore the connection between architecture and narrative literature. Architecture, as a fundamental element in literary epochs, has consistently played a crucial and significant role. Evocative architecture occurs through reading texts and writings in literary works, serving as a generator of imaginary spaces in the reader’s mind. Therefore, the objective of this research is to analyze architectural spaces as a fundamental element in literature, accomplished through qualitative study and analysis in literary domains such as drama, travelogue, and novel. The research findings indicate that literature and architecture are inseparable, emphasizing the need to create space in the content and literary texts for understanding existing writings in literary works. In this regard, imagination can be considered the foundation of mental space creation, and by enhancing imaginative abilities, the audience or reader understands and comprehends the evocative architectural environment in literary texts.

Abstract One of the most effective contemporary methods for transmitting educational content to children is the use of storybooks and narrative collections. This study employs a descriptive–analytical method and an interdisciplinary approach to examine the collection 365 Stories for the Nights of the Year, written for age groups A and B, through the theoretical lens of Abraham Maslow. It asks how various manifestations of self-actualization in Maslow’s theory are represented in this collection. Findings indicate that many stories in the book incorporate key indicators of self-actualization identified by Maslow—such as a clearer understanding of reality and an ease of relating to it, empathy, philosophical and nonaggressive playfulness, creativity, acceptance of self, others and nature, and problem orientation. By listening to and reading these tales, children can be exposed to and educated about these concepts, thereby smoothing their trajectories toward personality development and eventual attainment of higher stages of individual growth characterized by self-actualized traits in Maslow’s framework.

Abstract Studying media tools, especially mass media, although not very old, has taken various mediums throughout human communication history. In Iran, some of the oldest media include tablets, stone inscriptions, books, and pulpits (Khotbeh), which played a significant role in traditional society. Persian poetry has also been one of the most important media in Iranian culture from its inception to the present day. Despite being less recognized for various reasons, Persian poetry remains one of the most influential traditional media in Iran due to its accessibility and services. Today, an important topic regarding media is understanding and analyzing their functions. Media can be classified into categories such as traditional and modern, new and old, media and mass media. This article uses descriptive analysis to explore the functions of Persian poetry as a medium from the perspective of medialogy. It examines these functions through various perspectives and summarizes these views within traditional Iranian media, particularly poetry. The research demonstrates that the most important functions of Persian poetry as a medium include providing information, standardization, mediation, entertainment, and inspiration.

Abstract The caring thinking of the Philosophy for Children (P4C) program, with its emphasis on values and emotions, promotes moral and social development. This study examined the effectiveness of Iranian stories for the age group "C" (ages 9-12) within philosophical inquiry circles on sixth-grade primary school students' caring thinking. The research employed a quasi-experimental, pre-test/post-test design in Isfahan during 2024–2025. The population consisted of sixth-grade students in Isfahan, from which 60 male students were selected via multi-stage cluster sampling and divided into experimental and control groups (n=30 each). The intervention consisted of 10 sessions using bestselling Iranian stories published between 2016 and 2024. Data were collected using Hedayati's (2018) questionnaire and analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA/MANCOVA) in SPSS 26. The results showed that the mean caring thinking score of the experimental group increased from 94.80 to 105.47. Although ANCOVA showed no significant difference, this was confirmed by the Bonferroni test, and MANCOVA did not detect a significant overall difference across components; however, the test of between-subject effects revealed a significant improvement in the empathic thinking component (p<0.05). In conclusion, Iranian stories support caring thinking, particularly the empathic dimension. It is recommended that P4C facilitators incorporate these stories in their research and that future research examines the long-term impacts of these stories on students' caring thinking.

Abstract This research aims to analyze the mechanisms of cultural critique and norm-subversion in Reza Ghasemi's novel Verdi ke barre-ha mi-khanand, based on Mikhail Bakhtin's theory of "carnivalization." The central issue is how carnivalesque elements are represented and function to create a space for challenging dominant discourses and invoking marginalized voices. The research method of this article is descriptive-analytical, and the data have been collected and analyzed using library tool. The findings indicate that Ghasemi, by skillfully employing the principles of the carnivalistic world (including the symbolic suspension of the official order within the hospital space, radical equality in interaction with minorities, the reign of laughter to disarm authority, and a focus on the grotesque body to reduce abstract matters) as well as utilizing techniques of carnivalistic style (particularly heteroglossia, polyphony, hybridization, and double-voiced discourse), has succeeded in creating a polyphonic and deeply critical work. From this perspective, the novel is not only a reflection of identity and cultural tensions in Iranian society but also, by suspending imposed rituals and norms, provides an opportunity to re-examine them through the safe mechanisms of literature. This research confirms the efficacy of Bakhtin's theoretical framework in analyzing contemporary Iranian fiction.

Abstract The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) is one of the most significant international initiatives in the fields of cultural and urban development, with the Creative City of Literature being one of its most prominent categories. The present study aims to identify and analyze the key characteristics and criteria influencing the designation of Creative Cities of Literature based on the experiences of cities that have joined this network. The research adopted a qualitative approach and employed a summative content analysis method. The study population consisted of all 39 cities designated as UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature between 2004 and 2023. Data were collected from the content published on UNESCO’s official website and analyzed through manual coding and qualitative content analysis. The findings revealed that the most important characteristics of Creative Cities of Literature include a distinguished cultural and academic status, a well-developed publishing industry, the presence of active literary institutions and organizations, support for writers and literary creativity, creative writing education, hosting literary events, promotion of reading culture, support for literary translation, international cooperation, the use of literature as a tool for sustainable urban development, and the integration of literature with other cultural and artistic domains. The findings further indicate that membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature Network requires more than a rich literary heritage; it depends on proactive cultural policies, sustained cultural investment, the strengthening of literary infrastructures, and the expansion of international collaborations.