Persian literature has a long and rich history, primarily known for the classic poetry of Rumi, Hafez, Ferdowsi and Saadi. However, modern Persian prose literature is another rich domain of Persian literature that shouldn’t be ignored. The genre began to evolve in Iran in the 20th reflecting the changes in society, as well as the influence of Western literature. In this article, let’s discover what modern Persian prose stands for and some of its emblematic authors.
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Modern Persian Prose and the New Ideas of Democracy
Modern Persian prose started to develop at the beginning of the 20th century, following the Constitutional Revolution (1905-1911). This social and political movement aimed at ending the absolute monarchy and giving power to the people, and with it, conveyed new ideas about democracy, freedom and equality that were reflected in the artists and intellectuals’ works.
One of the first significant contributors to this movement was Mirza Aqa Khan Kermani. This intellectual was a member of the Babi Faith, which challenged the power of the king. In his works, Kermani write about the need for political and religious reforms, access to education, and a stronger national identity. As a writer, he was also famous for being an advocate of a simpler, more accessible prose, believing that the meaning was more important than the mode of expression.
At the same time, Zeyn al-Abedin Maraghei published the “The Travel Diary of Ebrahim Beg” (“Siahatnameh-ye Ibrahim Beyg”), which is often considered as one of the first modern Persian novels. The theme of the book reflects the struggle of the time, speaking of social justice in Iran through the eyes of a traveler. His work had a great influence on writers and on the development of prose and novel writing in Iran.
The Influence of Western Literature
During the 20th century, Iran started to open to the West and its ideas, and Persian writers also absorbed this influence in their writings, both in terms of ideas and style.
Mohammad Ali Jamalzadeh Esfahani is one of the most prominent writers of this era. His collection of short stories, “Yeki Bud Yeki Nabud” (“Once Upon a Time”), is recognized as the first modern work of Persian prose. The stories are once again dealing with social and political issues of the time in Iran, written in a simple and colloquial speech, using humor to convey messages. While considered nowadays as a classic, Jamalzadeh’s work was not well received when published, so much so that the writer chose to refrain from writing for the next 20 years.
Another important and worldwide famous figure of modern Persian literature is Sadegh Hedayat. “The Blind Owl”, published in 1937, is regarded as one of the most important works in Persian prose. The book portrays themes of isolation, death and madness, making it a deeply psychological and existential novel. Regarding his writing style, Sadegh Hedayat was one of the first Iranian writers to use literary modernism, filled with elements of surrealism and symbolism. With “The Blind Owl”, Sadegh Hedayat demonstrated the capacity of Persian prose to evolve into more philosophical and emotional levels.
Social Critique in Modern Persian Prose
During the middle of the 20th century, a new shift emerged in Persian prose toward engaged political books. Writers would use their work to directly criticize social, economic and political conditions in Iran. One of the most emblematic authors is Bozorg Alavi and his book “Cheshm Hayash” (“Her Eyes”) published in 1952. Bozorg Alavi was a founding member of the communist party in Iran, the Tudeh Party, and as such a fervent opponent to the monarchy of the Pahlavi. In “Cheshm Hayash”, which was banned in Iran, Bozorg Alavi explores the themes of political repression, corruption, censorship and human desire in an authoritarian regime.
Jalal Al-e-Ahmad is another a key figure of modern Persian prose during this period. His novel “Nefrin-e Zamin” (“The Curse of the Earth”) and his famous essay “Gharbzadegi” (“Westoxification”) criticized Iran’s imitation of Western culture at the expense of its own traditions. Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s prose used direct language to communicate his critic of the social transformations of Iran.
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Modern Persian Prose after the Islamic Revolution
The 1979 Islamic Revolution marked another turning point for modern Persian prose. Writers had to navigate a new political and social landscape. Mahmoud Dowlatabadi is one of the most prominent contemporary Iranian novelists, famous for his epic novel “Kelidar” published in 1984. This novel consists of ten books in five volumes and was written over 15 years. It depicts the life of a rural Kurdish family over several decades, integrating many Iranian folkloric themes.
In the late 20th century and early 21th century, modern Persian prose continued to explore new themes of such as identity, gender, diaspora, and personal freedom. Many Iranian writers, especially women, gained international recognition for their bold narratives. Writers such as Shahrnush Parsipur, known for her novel “Women Without Men” combines realism with feminist themes, offering a new perspective on the role of women in Iranian society. Zoya Pirzad is another celebrated contemporary Iranian novelist famous for the novel “I Will Turn Off the Lights”, which narrate the life of an Armenian-Iranian woman.
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