A cultural studies approach to the function of "place" element in urban fiction Case study: the function of “Tehran” in the novels of eighties and nineties

Document Type : مقالات علمی پژوهشی

Author
Abstract
Location is an indelible element in any narrative text, because every action or description in the story and every development in the plot takes place in a real or imaginary place, whether you like it or not. The place element in the story is sometimes just a silent background and context for events to take place; But sometimes it also plays a role as a living and dynamic element in the formation of events. In this study, Persian urban novels of the seventies to nineties, the events of which took place in Tehran, have been studied with the approach of cultural studies. The results of this research show that the place in these novels is sometimes an objective place (such as highways, streets, passages, etc.) that show the manifestations of progress and civilization of the capital; But due to the heterogeneity with the culture and emotions of the citizens, it does not create a discourse continuum. The result of living in these places is boredom for the native citizens and cowardice, sadness and confusion for the immigrant (city) citizens. Sometimes space dominates the citizens and the descriptions of the place are influenced by the wishes, nostalgia, fears, or ideals of the character. These spaces are generally out of reach, present in the memories or wishes of the characters and create a sense of nostalgia for them.


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