Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Persian literature group. Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages. Kurdistan. Sanandaj.Iran.
2
Master's student in Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Language and Literature, University of Kurdistan
10.22126/rp.2025.12313.2130
Abstract
The title of this research is "Analysis of the Effect of Gothic Characteristics on the Novel a Guide to Dying with Medicinal Plants by Atiyeh Attarzadeh." The research identifies key Gothic features in the novel’s characters, narrative structure, and atmosphere, including psychological fragility, isolation, violence, and suicide. The research identifies key Gothic features in the novel’s characters, narrative structure, and atmosphere, including psychological fragility, isolation, violence, and suicide The relationship between the blind girl and her mother, along with recurring motifs such as madness, darkness, and haunted spaces, reinforces the Gothic ambiance. Despite the limited presence of conventional Gothic elements like supernatural beings, the novel demonstrates significant Gothic characteristics shaped within the context of Iranian literature and culture. The findings suggest that the novel can be considered an example of Iranian Gothic fiction.
Conclusion
The findings indicate that A Guide to Dying with Medicinal Herbs* displays a strong presence of Gothic features, including:
Characterization: The protagonist, a blind girl, and her emotionally unstable mother, mirror the Gothic archetypes of the “victim” and “Tyrant.” Themes of madness, inner torment, and moral ambiguity permeate the narrative.
Death and Despair: The concept of death is central, not only through the novel’s title and content, but also in the protagonist’s morbid thoughts, suicidal ideation, and acts of cruelty (e.g., harming animals).
Setting: The novel’s primary space—a secluded, shadowy house with an oppressive atmosphere—echoes the claustrophobic and isolating environments typical of Gothic fiction.
Temporal Ambiguity:
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