Intellectual Stylistics in Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s Panj Dastan Collection
Persian prose, much like Persian poetry, has undergone significant transformations in structure, content, and literary forms since the constitutional period. One of the many genres introduced to Persian prose after the Constitutional Movement is the “short story”. This genre was first established in...
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| Published in | Funūn-i adabī Vol. 17; no. 3; p. 27 |
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| Main Authors | , |
| Format | Journal Article |
| Language | Persian |
| Published |
Iṣfahān
University of Isfahan
01.05.2025
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| Subjects | |
| Online Access | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Persian prose, much like Persian poetry, has undergone significant transformations in structure, content, and literary forms since the constitutional period. One of the many genres introduced to Persian prose after the Constitutional Movement is the “short story”. This genre was first established in Iran by Seyyed Mohammad Ali Jamalzadeh, with subsequent writers further developing the form. Jalal Al-e-Ahmad is recognized as one of the pioneers and leading figures in Persian short stories; he has also made notable contributions across various branches of Persian prose, producing valuable works in each area. Due to the distinctive linguistic, literary, and intellectual characteristics of his stories, he is regarded as one of the masters of contemporary Iranian prose. Al-e-Ahmad’s final collection of short stories, titled Panj Dastan, comprises five stories, three of which are reconstructions of memories from the author’s childhood and adolescence. In this descriptive-analytical study, data obtained from documents and library sources have been examined and analyzed to explore the intellectual style of the first three stories from a collection of five. The research findings indicate that these three stories incorporate many fundamental aspects of Al-e-Ahmad’s thinking style. These aspects include: 1) Critique of the educational system, 2) Representation of political events, 3) Influence of the contrast between tradition and modernity, 4) Attention to popular culture, 5) Narrative approach in storytelling, 6) Addressing issues and women’s problems, 7) Condemnation of poverty and suffering, and 8) A nostalgic perspective on childhood and adolescence. Keywords: Intellectual Stylistics, Persian Prose, Short Story, Jalal Al-e-Ahmad, Panj Dastan Collection. Introduction “Short Story” is one of the most important genres of Persian prose that emerged shortly after the Constitutional Revolution. Its founder is Seyyed Mohammad Ali Jamalzadeh (1892-1997), who introduced this literary genre to Persian prose in 1913 with the publication of the short story collection Yeki Bood Yeki Nabood (Once Upon a Time). Following him, other writers such as Sadeq Hedayat (1902-1951), Bozorg Alavi (1903-1996), Sadeq Chobak (1916-1998), Ebrahim Golestan (1921-2024), Jalal Al-e-Ahmad (1922-1969), and others created numerous works in this genre, significantly contributing to its prevalence in Persian literature. Among these writers, Jalal Al-e-Ahmad stands out as a prominent figure in Persian literature. He has explored various forms of Persian prose, including stories, travelogues, autobiographies, social monographs, translations, and collections of theoretical and literary articles, producing enduring works in each category. In the realm of short stories, Jalal Al-e-Ahmad has authored 46 short stories across five collections. His prose, evident in his short stories and other works, is characterized by distinct linguistic, literary, and intellectual features, establishing him as one of the foremost contemporary Persian prose writers. This study focuses on the intellectual style of Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s prose, particularly in his final collection of stories, Panj Dastan(Five Stories) (1971). While previous studies have touched on some intellectual aspects of his works, none have delved into the specific topic of “Intellectual Stylistics in the Panj Dastan Collection of Jalal Al-e-Ahmad”. The research aims to identify and analyze the key stylistic traits of Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s prose in the intellectual realm, as showcased in the Panj Dastan Collection. The primary research question is: What are the evident criteria of the intellectual style of Jalal Al-Ahmad’s prose in the Panj Dastan Collection? This study is significant as it aims to uncover Jalal Al-Ahmad’s deeper and more entrenched views and beliefs from the latter stages of his life through an examination of the Panj Dastan Collection. Materials and Methods This study involves the description and analysis of data obtained through document searches and library resources. The statistical population of the study is the Panj Dastan Collection by Jalal Al-Ahmad, specifically the second edition (1977, published by Ravaq). This book comprises five short stories titled: 1) Goldesteh and Falak, 2) Farkhunda’s Celebration, 3) My Sister and the Spider, 4) American Husband, and 5) The Pomegranate Family, spanning a total of 79 pages. The research sample includes the first three stories, covering 58 pages (73.42 percent) of the volume and encompassing key narrative elements. Research Findings In the stories “Goldesteh and Falak”, “Farkhunda’s Celebration”, and “My Sister and the Spider”, eight of the intellectual foundations of Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s prose are utilized. Below are the titles of these foundations along with their brief descriptions: Criticism of the Educational System: Jalal Al-e-Ahmad critically examines the educational system in these stories, highlighting the need to address its flaws and shortcomings. His main critique revolves around corporal punishment and the necessity of eliminating it from the educational system, a theme more pronounced in “Goldesteh and Falak”. Representation of Political Events: Through “Goldesteh and Falak”, “Farkhunda’s Celebration”, and “My Sister and the Spider”, the author portrays significant political events such as the implementation of the laws “Discovering the Hijab” and “Uniformizing the Clothing of Iranian Citizens within the Country” during the first Pahlavi Government. These events and their aftermath are depicted in the lives of the society’s people in these stories. Influence of the Confrontation between Tradition and Modernity: The clash between tradition and modernity significantly influences Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s mental and behavioral framework, evident in all three stories. Attention to Popular Culture: The stories not only incorporate elements of popular language and literature but also draw from popular traditions and beliefs to enhance their structure. Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s critical-reformist stance towards superstitious beliefs is palpable in these narratives. The Biographical Approach in the Stories: “Goldesteh and Falak”, “Farkhunda’s Celebration”, and “My Sister and the Spider” possess an autobiographical nature, shedding light on the author’s upbringing, development during childhood and adolescence, and his family members, particularly his father. Presentation of Women’s Issues and Problems: Jalal Al-e-Ahmad addresses crucial women’s issues in these stories, aiming to resolve them and improve women’s social conditions. However, at times, the portrayal of women in a superstitious light may come across as negative. Condemnation of Poverty and Misery: The author’s critical view on poverty and misery and their detrimental impact on the society is evident in parts of the three stories. Nostalgic View of Childhood and Adolescence: Despite being thematically rooted in the author’s childhood and adolescence, the stories reflect Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s nostalgic perspective, shaped by his later years. Discussion of Results and Conclusion An analysis of “Goldesteh and Falak”, “Farkhunda’s Celebration”, and “My Sister and the Spider” from Jalal Al-eAhmad’s collection of stories reveals the intellectual stylistic elements present in his writing. These stories, inspired by the author’s youth, showcase various intellectual characteristics that underscore Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s ideological framework.In the etymological analysis of these intellectual characteristics, it should be noted that: Jalal Al-e-Ahmad, influenced by his experiences in his teaching career and the deep knowledge he gained about the educational system and its weaknesses, criticized the educational system in some of his stories, including the three stories of “Goldesteh and Falak”, “Farkhunda’s Celebration”, and “My Sister and the Spider”. The representation of political events in numerous stories by Jalal Al-e-Ahmad, such as the three opening stories from the Panj Dastan collection, is due to the following reasons: Jalal Al-e-Ahmad lived during significant years and events in Iranian history in the 14th century. Jalal Al-e-Ahmad had a special social commitment to the society and its various issues. Jalal Al-e-Ahmad had an active and long-standing presence in the political arena, gaining valuable experiences and information from this involvement. The intellectual characteristic of being influenced by the contrast between tradition and modernity, which is evident in the three stories “Goldesteh and Falak”, “Farkhunda’s Celebration”, and “My Sister and the Spider”, as well as numerous other works by Jalal Al-e-Ahmad, stems from the fact that the confrontation between tradition and modernity was one of his most important mental challenges in real life, influencing him until the end of his life. The attention to popular culture, which is exemplified in the stories “Goldesteh and Falak”, “Farkhunda’s Celebration”, and “My Sister and the Spider”, as well as in other fictional works by Jalal Al-e-Ahmad, originates from the author’s personal interest in popular culture. The multiple monographs that Jalal Al-e-Ahmad created related to popular culture confirm this interest. The autobiographical approach in Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s stories, evident in the three stories “Goldesteh and Falak”, “Farkhunda’s Celebration”, and “My Sister and the Spider”, is a result of the author’s diverse experiences in different periods and areas of his life, often serving as the basis for his stories. In the stories “Goldesteh and Falak”, “Farkhunda’s Celebration”, and “My Sister and the Spider”, Jalal Al-e-Ahmad addresses issues and problems faced by women, specifically the two issues of violence against women and their illiteracy, which appear to reflect the author’s patriarchal thoughts in the later parts of his life. Condemnation of poverty and misery is another intellectual characteristic present in the three stories “Goldesteh an |
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| Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 14 |
| ISSN: | 2008-8027 2322-3448 |
| DOI: | 10.22108/liar.2025.143310.2414 |