Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Persian Language and Literature Department, Arak University, Arak
2
, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Arak University, Arak, Iran
3
Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Arak University, Arak, Iran
Abstract
In the formation or transformation of narrative structures, contrasts at various levels play a fundamental role. These contrasts manifest through boundaries, which can be stable, unstable, or transient, and significantly influence tensions, conflicts, plot development, and the overall form of the narrative. Boundaries, as the intersection points of these contrasts, possess a conventional nature and assume different forms depending on temporal and spatial conditions, as well as various influencing factors. These boundaries, rooted in the similarities and differences among individuals and phenomena, encompass all domains of human life, both natural and constructed. Bijan and Manijeh, the focus of this study, exemplifies such boundary formations in both tangible and intangible domains. It employs contrasts in structures, characters, and actions to create fundamental nodes that shape causality and advance the storyline.
In this story, several foundational contrasts are evident, including the contrast between courage and fear, father and daughter, Iranian and non-Iranian marriage, and the nations of Iran and Turan. These contrasts explain some of the reasons for the story’s development and inclusion in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. From a thematic perspective, these contrasts reflect social boundaries such as the tradition of exogamy; from a mythological standpoint, they echo the myth of fertility; and from a historical perspective, they highlight the conflict between semi-nomadic. Ethically these boundaries underscore the valorization of courage aimed at achieving spiritual renown and heroic status.
This article, focusing on the analysis of contrasting boundaries and their effects seeks to elucidate the influence of these fundamental structures on the narrative.
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