Investigating the Narrative Structure of the Epic Novel Eagle's Nest Based on Todorov's Theory

Historical and epic novelists have employed various narrative techniques over time. Among them is Zain al-Abidin Motamen, born in 1914, whose most notable work is the novel Eagle's Nest, which portrays events from the Seljuk era. This novel skillfully combines historical and epic themes with a critical perspective, resulting in a compelling narrative.
The novel incorporates elements of epic literature, including the expression of national identity, the protagonist as a representative of the people's perspectives, the depiction of invincible individual strength, and a close alignment with historical events. This essay offers a descriptive and analytical examination of the novel Eagle's Nest, utilizing Todorov's theoretical framework, which encompasses plot, proposition, episode, and narrative features. The research findings reveal that most developments in the novel follow a chain-type structure and that many of the key propositions are prominently featured throughout the story.
The most notable feature of this novel is its well-balanced narrative episodes. Both the mandatory and wishful elements play a significant role in shaping the narrative structure, forming the foundation upon which the story is built. Moreover, the novel's narrative structure aligns perfectly with Todorov's theory.
Introduction:
The story is a literary genre that has long fascinated humanity and exerted a profound and lasting influence on human life and thought. Throughout history, people have turned to this artistic form to preserve their ideas and ideals, as well as to convey their thoughts to others—often in subtle or indirect ways. Among the various types of stories, the epic holds a special place. Literally, the term epic denotes bravery and courage; technically, it refers to a form of poetry or prose that narrates heroic themes through tales of valor, supernatural events, and extraordinary feats.
This literary form is characterized by its martial grandeur, majestic tone, and the prominence of its subjects and heroes—figures portrayed as ideal and flawless in every respect (Razmjou, 1385: 73). The author of The Eagle’s Nest is a profound thinker and keen observer with a deep understanding of the complexities of the human condition. He is a passionate advocate for the poor, the destitute, and the innocent—those ensnared by the manipulations and injustices of the wealthy and powerful.
Throughout the book, the reader encounters the author’s compassion: a heart filled with love for humanity yet weighed down by sorrow for its suffering. The Eagle’s Nest stands as one of the most eloquent hymns to freedom and peace to emerge from the voice of a young generation. The call for social justice and progress resonates through every page like the herald of spring, and the dream of liberation from oppression and tyranny shines as a precious blessing for all humankind.
Methodology:
Given the subject of this article, structuralism and Todorov’s theory are first discussed, after which the narrative structure of the novel The Eagle’s Nest is analyzed and interpreted in light of Tzvetan Todorov’s theoretical framework.
Results and Discussion:
Today, it is difficult to find any form of literary criticism that does not draw upon structuralist principles. The development of contemporary literary theory gave rise to the structuralist school, which was inspired by the linguistic theories of Ferdinand de Saussure. Structuralism is defined as a theory concerned with identifying, studying, and analyzing phenomena based on the rules and patterns that form their underlying structure (Alavi Moghaddam, 1381: 188). In its broadest sense, structuralism represents a method of seeking reality not within isolated entities but within the relationships that connect them. From this perspective, researchers do not study the various phenomena of their discipline independently or in isolation; rather, they endeavor to examine each phenomenon in relation to the system of which it is a part (Balayi and Kooyi-Pars, 1378: 267). Narratology represents a modern branch of literary structuralism that focuses less on the underlying structure of a story’s content (its subject matter) and more on the structure of the narrative itself. Essentially, narratology is concerned with how the events that constitute a particular story are presented and organized. It is a branch of literary study devoted to the analysis of narratives, particularly their forms, structures, and types of narrators (Baldick, 2004, p. 166).
Among the leading figures in this field is the French narratologist Tzvetan Todorov, renowned for his contributions to the study and interpretation of narrative structure. The events of the novel The Eagle’s Nest unfold during the reign of the Seljuk ruler Malik-Shah (465–485 AH), his celebrated vizier Nizam al-Mulk, and his determined adversary Hassan-i Sabbah, the leader of the Ismaili sect. All the historical events of the novel take place in the Seljuk capital, Isfahan, and in Alamut, the mountain fortress of Ibn Sabbah near Qazvin—a site that truly resembles an “eagle’s nest.” The central theme of the story revolves around the rivalry between Khwaja Nizam al-Mulk and Hassan-i Sabbah as they struggle for influence at court and the consolidation of power. The narrative also depicts the suffering and tragedies resulting from this conflict, ensnaring innocent and peace-loving individuals who, against their will, become entangled in acts of violence and intrigue. In this novel, the author strongly condemns those who wield authority and power, while expressing profound sympathy and compassion for the broader social classes—the oppressed and the deprived. His attitude toward the unfortunate and those victimized by tyranny and injustice is one of deep kindness and mercy. The characters represent diverse segments of society, including statesmen, the wealthy, physicians, servants, and ordinary citizens. The novel The Eagle’s Nest may be regarded, to some extent, as an epic that embodies national, humanistic, and aristocratic dimensions, vividly portraying Iranian society before the reader’s eyes. Although the novel does not entirely correspond chronologically to the historical realities of the eleventh century CE, its broad scope, multiplicity of events, and accurate depiction of the social relations among the Iranian people during that period make it highly valuable. Tzvetan Todorov’s theory is among the structuralist models that emphasize the concept of narrative sequence. According to its definition, “A narrative sequence is a complete system of propositions that expresses the main plot of a story. Each narrative sequence is a small story, and every story constitutes a general or primary narrative sequence” (Ahmadi, 1380: 166). Based on this framework, Todorov views each narrative sequence—composed of five propositions—as a process through which the story moves from an initial state of equilibrium to disequilibrium and ultimately returns to a renewed balance.
Conclusion:
An analysis of the novel The Eagle’s Nest reveals that the author skillfully employs a variety of narrative techniques—including narrative sequence, propositions, episodes, and narrative modes—to craft an engaging and compelling story for readers.
The intelligent use of these narrative devices enhances both the significance and the artistic richness of the work. The presence of interconnected narrative sequences establishes coherence and structural unity within the text, while the continual transition of events from equilibrium to disequilibrium heightens the novel’s dramatic tension and appeal. As a historical novel, The Eagle’s Nest places particular emphasis on actional propositions that drive the plot forward. Despite the numerous conflicts among the characters, the inclusion of balanced narrative episodes contributes to a sense of calm and stability within the story.
Among the narrative modes, the obligative and optative modes are the most prominent, forming the foundation of the narrative structure. In contrast, the conditional mode appears less frequently, reflecting the definitiveness of the relationships among the characters. Meanwhile, the predictive mode plays a crucial role in shaping the progression of events, as the predictions presented in the narrative generally follow a verisimilar logic and are ultimately fulfilled.