The Function of Paratextual Elements in the Fictional Works of Leila Sadeghi

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
GholamHossein GholamHossein Zadeh 1
elham vatankhahan isfahani 2
1 Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Tarbiat Modares University
2 M.A. Persian language and literature in literary theory and criticism at Tarbiat Modares University of Tehran
2634.21.86.6
Abstract
In contemporary literature, paratextual elements have emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing reader
engagement and shaping the reception of literary works. Traditionally viewed as peripheral and
secondary, these elements are now increasingly employed by modern authors as active agents in the
construction and transmission of meaning. Leila Sadeghi is among those writers who consistently
integrate paratextual features—such as cover design, dedications, and tables of contents—into the
fabric of their narratives, to the extent that any reading which disregards them is rendered
incomplete.
This study investigates the role of paratextual elements in meaning-making within Sadeghi’s
fictional works, drawing upon Gérard Genette’s theory of intertextuality and paratextuality.
Building upon Genette’s framework, Birk and Christ propose three core functions for paratextuality
in digital literature: interpretive, commercial, and directive. These three functions are also
considered in addressing the central research question. Employing a qualitative and analytical
methodology, the study involves careful data collection, classification, and pattern recognition based
on the selected theoretical models. The subsequent analysis reveals that paratextual elements in
Sadeghi’s narratives perform what may be termed a complementary function that is, they act as
integral parts of the main text, essential for both narrative and non-narrative meaning-making. This
article argues that the complementary function of paratext should be recognized as a defining stylistic
feature of Leila Sadeghi’s literary approach.

 

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Literary Research
Volume 21, Issue 86
Autumn 2024
Pages 159-184