The Effect of Occupation on Character Development in Akbar Radi’s Plays of the 1980s

Abstract

This study aims to find a meaningful connection between the occupation of characters and their social status in the plays of Akbar Radi in the 1980s in the context of the events leading up to the 1979 revolution in Iran. The characters of these plays live in turbulent condition that changes their occupation and social status. The establishment of new institutions, the expansion of new jobs, and the consequent disappearance of some traditional jobs led to widespread social changes. Some productive jobs in the agricultural sector were lost due to the migration of villagers to the cities, and new job opportunities were created in the manufacturing industry. These structural changes play a pivotal role in the emergence of dramatic crises in these texts. This study proves that these events are a determining factor in the way of life and destiny of the characters in these plays. In the current study, by analyzing the occupations of the characters during the mentioned events and the changes that occurred for them, the impact of the events on the social identity and destiny of the characters has been evaluated. It also reveals that the character’s quest to gain a job in these texts is to achieve social status and prestige rather than to amass wealth.

Keywords

• akbar radi
• occupation
• social status
• dramatic crises
• characterization