Analysis of Transition Methods in Rostam and Esfandiyar's Story

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

2 University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran. E-mail: n.hosseini@uk.ac.ir 2. Ph.D. Student in Persian Language and Literature, Tarbiyat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: Jafari.

Abstract

Transition serves as a preparation for choice and juxtaposes the scenes of a story. The purpose of selecting different methods of transition is to present the narrative in the most effective and dramatic manner, ultimately eliciting a reaction from the reader. In this article, various methods of transition and their rhetorical functions in the story of "Rostam and Esfandiyar" are identified, analyzed, and described. The results of this study indicate that transitions between locations, facilitated by spacing, character movement, and voice, sustain the rhythm and coherence of the text. These transitions not only enhance the dynamism of the scenes but also foster empathy in the readers. The function of transitioning and altering the timeline within the narrative, without changing the setting, is to preserve the continuity and conciseness of the text. The rhetorical function of transmission is achieved through introspection and focalization, which reveal the thoughts and feelings of the characters in the story. This technique diversifies and propels the scenes, fostering a sense of empathy, fear, and pity in the reader, while encouraging them to interpret the events. The rhetorical function of transitions through introversion and focalization is to reveal the thoughts and feelings of the characters in the story. This technique creates variety and movement within the scenes, fostering a sense of empathy, fear, and pity in the readers, while encouraging them to interpret the events of the narrative.
Introduction:
The tale of "Rostam and Esfandiar" is regarded as one of the most beautiful and, according to some scholars, the most sublime and epic narratives in the Shahnameh. Ferdowsi's rendition, along with other interpretations found in Persian and Arabic literature, varies in the details of the story as well as the motivations and causes behind the conflict between these two legendary heroes. The researchers' statements regarding the differences between Ferdowsi's narrative and other narratives that share the same source as the Shahnameh clearly demonstrate that Ferdowsi is not merely a reteller of pre-existing stories. Additionally, they highlight Ferdowsi's artistic skill in organizing and embellishing these tales. In fact, Ferdowsi's artistry involves the creative reconstruction of stories into memorable narratives. His ability to coherently link events into an impressive storyline, create unique characters, and artistically depict epic heroes, battlefields, and campaigns sets his work apart from others. Additionally, his thrilling portrayal of war scenes, the vivid representation of characters' emotions, the elegance and logical progression of the narratives, and the ability to evoke excitement and curiosity in readers all exemplify Ferdowsi's exceptional storytelling skills. The power of Ferdowsi's storytelling lies in the rhetorical impact of his narrative. This impact encompasses all the elements of the text that generate a compelling or, at times, less effective blend of thoughts and emotions in the audience while engaging with the narrative. The focus of this research is to identify, describe, and analyze various modes of transition and to explain their rhetorical functions as key components in crafting the unique narrative of "Rostam and Esfandiar." the reasons behind the strength and rhetorical influence of Ferdowsi's narrative.
Methodology:
Transition serves as a preparation for choice and juxtaposes the scenes of a story. The method of this research involves studying the tale of "Rostam and Esfandiar" in "Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. identify, analyze, and describe the most significant scenes of the story, as well as the methods of transition within these scenes. The primary reference for this research is the fifth volume of the Shahnameh, revised by "Khaleqi Motlaq."
Results and Discussion:
Transference is a narrative technique that facilitates a specific sequence of events and organizes how a story is narrated. A story that lacks a sense of movement and progression also lacks continuity, making it difficult to transition from one scene to the next due to the absence of connections between its events. Therefore, a third element is needed to link the end of Scene A to the beginning of Scene B. This process in storytelling is known as transition, which involves selecting and juxtaposing scenes to move from one place, state, stage of development, or type to another. The goal of employing various methods of transition is to present the topic in the most effective and dramatic manner, thereby provoking the audience's response to the text. Different methods of transition enhance the continuity of story scenes.
The transfer of location is the most significant form of transition in the story of "Rostam and Esfandiar. the movement of the scene and the characters from one place to another. This form of transition is intricately linked to the concept of time and its progression in the narrative in two ways: the change of location can coincide with the passage of time or indicate the occurrence of two or more events within a single timeframe. In the eight main scenes of "Rostam and Esfandiar, these two methods of location transfer are alternately employed throughout the narrative. Character movement and displacement represent the most frequent method of spatial transitions over time. In this approach, scene shifts occur through the narrator's focus on the character, who moves between two scenes that may be close to or far from each other. Notable examples of this form of transition can be observed in the scenes depicting "Esfandiar's journey to Sistan" and "Bahman's meeting with Zal and Rostam. transitions without a change in location are achieved through spacing and gradual fading, or by utilizing verbs that suggest the compression or continuity of time.
Connecting two simultaneous scenes in a story can be achieved in two ways: through spacing, which involves leaving a blank line and adding extra space at the beginning of the next line, and through transitions with character names. This method is an effective way to shift the focus to another character's perspective in the narrative. One of the most striking examples of this technique can be observed in the simultaneous scenes of "Rostam's conversation with Zal" and "the conversation between Esfandiar and Pashtun.
The transition to the characters' mental states and emotions is achieved through focalization techniques and the emphasis on the characters' expressions. The portrayal of Esfandiar's psychological tension during his departure to Sistan serves as a prime example of this technique, evoking a profound sense of empathy from the reader. The successive scene transitions in the narrative, employing various methods, contribute to the condensation of several significant and pivotal moments in the story. A notable illustration of this approach can be found in the scene where Rostam encounters Simorgh.
Conclusion:
In this research, various modes of transmission in the esteemed narrative of the Shahnameh have been identified and analyzed. The results of this analysis indicate that the most prevalent form of transition in the story is the shift in scene locations, which portrays events either over time or simultaneously. In the first instance, the linear progression of time aids the audience in constructing the narrative and comprehending the causes, while in the second instance, it offers the audience an expansive array of causal, temporal, and spatial information. Devices for transferring location, in both synchronous and spatiotemporal forms, include following the character's movement, linking scenes through the character's voice, and utilizing conventional phrases or character names for spacing. Time transitions that occur without altering the location are achieved through spacing and gradual fading, or by employing verbs that convey the compression of time or its continuity. These techniques, while preserving the text's continuity, play a crucial role in the artistic brevity of the narrative. Introspection, while revealing the thoughts and feelings of the characters in the story, adds variety and movement to the scene. It is an effective tool for creating a sense of empathy in the reader and encouraging them to interpret events. This transfer is achieved by focusing on and highlighting the character's facial expressions. The successive transitions between scenes in the story, employing various transition methods, lead to the miniaturization of several important key moments. This technique encourages the reader to concentrate on the different elements of each scene, fostering greater empathy and identification with the characters.

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