Motif, Its Types and Functions in Rouhangiz Sharifian's Three Novels

Motif is one of the highly critical terms in literary criticism which, due to its repetition, has a great impact on the structure and content of literary work. This research seeks to examine this element in a descriptive-analytical way in Rouhangiz Sharifian's three novels. Theoretical topics of the article include definitions of the motif, introduction of its types and functions and, furthermore, the topics about the immigrant and his identity challenges. In the field of application, the types of motifs and their functions and connections in Sharifian’s novels have been studied. The results of the research show that Sharifian has sometimes consciously and sometimes unknowingly used some elements as motifs. There are examples of artistic motifs in Sharifian's works. However, intellectual and emotional motifs have more variety and breadth in hers works. In this realm, the presence of concepts specific to immigration literature is noteworthy. In this article, motif various functions such as cohesive, emphatic, symbolic and storytelling functions are discussed, as well as the relationship between motifs and other elements of the story.
Introduction:
Motif is one of the commonly used terms in art and literature and, besides, an important category in literary criticism. This element can be associated with multiple structures in the story due to the inclusion and breadth of examples. This is mainly because all the elements of the story can have the function of the motif if they are repeated. By examining this influential element and its role and function, it is possible to analyze the structural and content aspects of literary work and represent the relationship between form and content, as well as the integrity and coherence of the works. Therefore, in this research, an attempt has been made to investigate the types of motifs, their relationship with other elements of the story, and their function in Rouhangiz Sharifian's three novels entitled as; “Who Would Believe Rostam,” “Postcard,” and “Last Dream,” using the descriptive-analytical method.
Results and Discussion:
The most prominent feature of the motif is its repetition. Precisely, it is this feature that is sensitive and attracts the attention of the reader and the aesthetic richness of the work. Coherence to story elements, story-making and symbolic function are also among other functions of motif.
Motifs are generally divided into two categories: a) artistic and allegorical motifs, b) intellectual and emotional motifs. In another category, motifs are divided into two types: "conscious" and "unconscious."
In Sharifian's novels, elements such as cold, darkness, rain, music, smell and color form artistic and allegorical motifs. Intellectual and emotional motifs, which are often related to migration and escape, are central events in Sharifian's novels. They are of different type as it is mentioned; 1. Fear, loneliness, and depression 2. Generation gap 3. Nostalgia with its manifestations 4. Lack of understanding between spouses.
Sharifian has also used self-conscious motifs. In his works, there is a strong togetherness between the names of the characters and their spiritual characteristics, in terms of whether or not the characters belong to the homeland. In some cases, the author has created a kind of lack of familiarization by deliberately not naming the characters.  In the realm of unconscious motifs, all kinds of feminine motifs, customary and traditional beliefs, religious beliefs, climatic motifs and folk beliefs, and superstitions have repeatedly appeared in Sharifian's novels.
In Sharifian's works, the motif is also related to the elements of the story. As this element is in connection with Pirang shows the reason of the events and the motivation of the characters. For example, love for Rostam is present as the main cause in many of Shoura's actions. In "Postcard", the motivation of thoughts and feelings and events are linked with migration and its related consequences. In "The Last Dream", the secondary events of the story, along with Arezoo's migration as the main event, are in line with the theme of longing, anxiety, fear and absolute despair.
In Sharifian's work, motifs as recurring elements have also played a pivotal role in giving depth to the characters. Immigrants are among the personalities that have become a recurring element due to their continuous presence. Characters such as "Rostam" who is a victim of poverty and misery and "Dada" who is saved from wars have also become motifs. Prominent traits such as high education, self-confidence, serving the injured people without national and racial prejudices in Characterization of Theo and characteristics such as continuous smoking, helplessness and continuous fears, constant sadness of losing a son and hatred of a wife are also among the motifs in Sana's characterization that have drawn the characters in a real and vivid way.
The motif is also related to the scene element. As Shura repeatedly separates from the present and sinks into the past due to loneliness and sadness. In "The Last Dream", the frequent change of the scene, as a motif, has coordinated the atmosphere of the work with the fear, apprehension and wandering of the narrator. In "Postcard" elements such as old house, empty rooms, silence, lack of music and cold have been carefully designed in accordance with Parva's depression and inner sadness. Motifs have several functions, and coherence is one of these roles. In non-linear stories, where the relationship between the elements may be unclear due to temporal, spatial and character changes, motifs can establish this relationship by creating correlations. In "The Last Dream", the repetition of the "watch" and "telephone" motifs brings the reader's mind back to the accident of the boy of desire. Also, repeating the motifs of "light", "marble" and "square" has strengthened the coherence of the story.
Another connection of motifs with the main theme of the story is its emphasis function. Arzoo's name and surname change parallel to his secret escape from his homeland shows his attempt to escape from his previous personality and identity and to forget his past. The polynomial motif emphasizes Shoura's confusion in choosing the West and modernity on the one hand and Iran and traditionalism on the other. This process, which usually involves anxiety and mental disorders, is especially intensified in cases of forced migration. In this regard, motifs such as the generation gap, fear, loneliness, and the sadness of homelessness have a strong presence in his works and portray the emotional and social concerns of immigrants well.
The symbolic function of the motif also has examples in Sharifian's works, especially in the novel "Who Would Believe Rostam, "Rostam is the symbol of the narrator's homeland and national identity, and his death represents the loss of the homeland. Jahan's character is a symbol of western culture, "newspaper" is a symbol of emotional separation in married life, "train" is also a symbol of Shura's marriage, which causes him to wander. "Home" is a symbol of identity and country from which the characters have distanced themselves. In the postcard, Sahar is the symbol of Parva's true self, which migrates to Iran.
Conclusion:
As a recurring element, the motif strengthens the attraction of the story and attracts the reader's attention. Roohangiz Sharifian has made good use of all kinds of motifs, including artistic, allegorical and intellectual and emotional motifs, to increase the coherence and aesthetics in his novels. As an immigrant woman writer, she has tried to depict the concerns of immigrant women and their identity challenges in her works. The main characters of Sharifian's stories, who are from the first generation of immigrants, are facing an identity crisis due to their dependence on their culture and are forced to adapt to the host culture. This process, which usually involves anxiety and mental disorders, is especially intensified in cases of forced migration. In this regard, motifs such as the generation gap, fear, loneliness, and the sadness of homelessness have a strong presence in his works and portray the emotional and social concerns of immigrants well.