Matn/Pizhūhī-i Adabī (Sep 2024)
Comparative Inter-theoretical Reading of Two Novels Please Close the Door and City of Glass
Abstract
This research examines the postmodern novels "Please Close the Door" by Javad Mojabi, a current Iranian writer who incorporates postmodern elements in unconventional circumstances, and “City of Glass" by Paul Auster. The analysis of current American writers, who write within the cultural and social backdrop of the "postmodern situation", has been conducted in a comparative manner. Given the extensive prevalence of the post-modern theme in the Western world, it is anticipated that Auster’s works will exhibit more intellectual deconstructions. Despite the presence of numerous incoherent narratives in his novel, he is expected to effectively demonstrate the post-modern qualities. Nevertheless, Mojabi is endeavoring to incorporate postmodernist elements into his works. Any shortcomings that may arise are primarily due to the novelty of postmodern concepts in Iran and the limited academic training available in this field. IntroductionComparative theories gain dynamism by incorporating other theories. We might classify this type of comparative research as interdisciplinary. Postmodern critique ideas have been employed, along with the shared characteristics mentioned in this article. Overall, we can assert that all postmodern storytellers approach the text with a fundamental purpose, utilizing three mechanisms: 1. Conveying the theory in the text through the construction of the theorist's narrative. 2. Implementation of theoretical concepts at the text's individual level 3. Unlike the other two instances and the climax, the fundamental framework of the story, a primary characteristic of postmodern storytelling, operates on a more subconscious and internal level through the utilization of theory. This artwork belongs to the postmodern art movement. It is important to acknowledge that the presence of deconstructive elements in a novel may cause discomfort and boredom for readers who are unfamiliar with this style of postmodern writing and are unable to recognize such works. Despite the numerous uncertainties, particularly towards the conclusion, it will meander.Literature ReviewIn the realm of comparative reading with regards to postmodernist elements, except for a handful of restricted instances, no other examples were discovered. In their article "Comparative reading of the components of post-modernism in the novels Posti and Frankenstein in Baghdad" (1395), Dr. Ali Afzali and Nastern Gandami analyzed the works of Iraqi novelists Mohammad Reza Katb (1345) and Ahmad Saadawi (1973) to examine the post-modern elements present in their novels. Given the novelty of this approach for the authors in question, they were unable to find any existing research on this topic. Therefore, the present research focuses on a specialized and unique analysis, comparing Javad Mojabi's post-modern works with the analysis of post-modern novels. Paul Auster has a unique background that combines academic research and practical criticism.MethodologyFrom the perspective of one of the literary criticism schools, the literary critic evaluates each book according to its capacity, as not all writings are suitable for examination from a specific critical perspective. Javad Mojabi, born in 1318, is a writer whose writings can be analyzed and pondered from a post-modern perspective. In the novel "Please Close the Door," the author employs postmodern elements in contexts that extend beyond the specific circumstances of its creation. One aspect to consider is the comparison between his works and those of Paul Auster (born in 1947), who is known for having a devoted fan base in both America and Europe, as described by Patricia Merivale. It can provide significant assistance in gaining a deeper understanding of his writings. Paul Auster’s work was influenced by the cultural and social circumstances of the "postmodern situation." This analysis will compare the two works in order to discover common postmodern features, significant elements, and distinctions, assuming that there are discernible variations in the writers' usage of postmodern elements. It is important to examine the parallels in the implementation of post-modern ideals. Given the widespread popularity of the post-modern theme in the Western world, we anticipate more sophisticated deconstructions in Paul Auster’s works. Despite the presence of numerous incoherent narratives in her novel, she is predicted to effectively showcase its post-modern features. Nevertheless, Mojabi is endeavoring to include postmodernist themes in his books. The novelty of postmodernist concepts in Iran and the lack of formal academic training in this field may account for any shortcomings. The context is.Discussion and ConclusionA comparative analysis of these two books revealed findings that did not align with the basic idea. While both novels employ text fusion in different ways, it is clear that both authors employ direct references or allusions to myths, creating collages by incorporating other people's writings and fabricating histories. By blending elements of fiction and reality and incorporating diverse literary styles from various time periods, the imagery in "Please Close the Door" has generated a sense of astonishment. However, it is important to note that this approach often involves the fabrication of historical events, which occurs more frequently in this work than in Esther's novel. Esther frequently demonstrates a refined artistic skill by creating collages that incorporate other people's writings. Mojabi's novel is characterized by the fusion of storytelling and narrative discourse. That is, narratives using unique construction methods and unexpected descriptions enhance the creative and literary merit of the work. The appearances in Esther's novel are both less aesthetically pleasing and less frequent. The simultaneous and intertwined presence of several character voices has resulted in a polyphonic narrative in both novels. Furthermore, both works lack a central principle to provide overall organization. Predictability characterizes the storyline and structure, often disrupting the logical sequence of events and narratives. Clarity is enhanced in Mojabi's novel. The phrase "Please close the door" consists of nested sub-narratives, but Esther's work exhibits a coherent structure. The presence of numerous deceptive and contrived conclusions in both novels has created opportunities for diverse reader interpretations.
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