مطالب

This paper aims to explore the relationship between epic poetry and national self-consciousness and in particular study how Shahnameh may be analyzed from this angle. What is the relationship between the Shahnameh and the Iranian national self-consciousness? What can one say about the Iranian national self-consciousness on the basis of this text? What does the text reveal about the Iranian identity? A related question should also be answered, is the Shahnameh an epic? This is not a pedantic question concerned merely with definitions and labels. As will become clear, an epic reveals a great deal about the national consciousness of the people to whom it belongs (or who belong to it); to identify a poem as an epic, is to be making an important statement about the national consciousness of a people. The question of whether the Shahnameh is an epic or not is hence far from a pedantic one. It takes us right into the heart of Iranian national consciousness

Political Cinema is defined as a "political event", a "biography", or "process". Such a definition is, however, not inclusive enough to cover the films which focus on the normative aspects of politics without necessarily narrating a special political issue. By reviewing Abbas Kiarostami’s films, this article attempts to revise the definition of political cinema and propose the notion of normative political cinema .

Of the various literary works, which have come to exist during the centuries and civilizations, few are capable of remaining in the universal history of literature and culture. Also among these few, only finger trip has become immortal on the people's mind and memory. One might conclude that having joint humanistic concerns is a cause for the immortality of any work of art or literature. The more a literary work deals with commons, questions, subjectivities and human pains, more people will find their own feelings and "their heart word" in it. Undoubtedly, "Saadi’s Golestan" can be considered one of such works. The present study reconsiders Saadi’s Golestan in terms of anxieties and concerns that contemporary human beings are encountered with. Since Saadi’s strategies and techniques are based on his humanitarian experiences, wisdom and high qualities of genius, intellect and attention to readers, in many situations, it appears to be a solution for the contemporary human problems, and this is the secret to the Golestan’s durability. The research, using descriptive–analytic method and through an inter-textual and induction approach, tries to explain Saadi's humanitarian views and his strategies and techniques to respond to the contemporary human pains and challenges. According to the outcomes of the research, a great part of Saadi's sayings in Golestan is based on his humanistic views and his solutions to the social and spiritual (existential) anxieties and crises. Therefore, his teachings, surpassing the place and time, often can be a healing to the contemporary human's sufferings and a solution for his ongoing challenges.

The concepts used in Iqbal Lahori's poetry indicate that the political, social, and cultural settings of the time had greatly influenced his ideas. Influenced by three sources, namely the philosophy based on spiritual perfection, a kind of pan-Islamic approach to propagate among Muslims, and a political view toward his own country, Iqbal deals with the modern socio-political crises plaguing Muslims and drawing upon guidelines received from Molavi-his master whose ideas can be a great source of inspiration to solve new problems of the Islamic world and the colonized nations-he addressed many of these problems. In Javid Nama, he believes that desperately romantic poets are the hearts of the nations and give the body the life-giving blood. Such poets create liveliness in their nations. Iqbal calls them "the Prophet's heirs", who carry the burden of guiding people. Jalal-e-din Mohammad Balkhi, is the symbol of a committed and passionate poet who is the source of life to his nation and transforms the universe through his burning voice. To Iqbal, he is the pioneer of the lovers, whom he is the guide. In Iqbal's view, Rumi master us a fellow-traveler whose company brings salvation and bliss. He advises the followers of the path of divine love to accompany him so that, through his blessings, they know themselves and do great things inspired by strong belief and reach their eventual goal.