University of TehranResearch in Contemporary World Literature2588-4131123820070622--18434FAJournal Article19700101The explication of the role of fire in, and its profound impact on, human communities throughout history requires multiple ranges of knowledge such as history, psychology, sociology, physics, ethnology, anthropology. While the present paper does not utilize all these principles, it argues that fire may encompass a broad range of meanings that enable this element to possess a receptacle of diverse and contradictory senses and symbolic concepts. To address some of these symbolic characteristics, the authors try to analyse its varied meanings through an analysis of some of the dichotomies it has obtained, two of which are fire as destructive/ constructive force and a life-/death-giving element. In order to do so, the authors base their argument on a tradition which, compared with other cults, reveals the symbolic characteristics of fire more conspicuously and more succinctly, namely, Zoroastrianism.The explication of the role of fire in, and its profound impact on, human communities throughout history requires multiple ranges of knowledge such as history, psychology, sociology, physics, ethnology, anthropology. While the present paper does not utilize all these principles, it argues that fire may encompass a broad range of meanings that enable this element to possess a receptacle of diverse and contradictory senses and symbolic concepts. To address some of these symbolic characteristics, the authors try to analyse its varied meanings through an analysis of some of the dichotomies it has obtained, two of which are fire as destructive/ constructive force and a life-/death-giving element. In order to do so, the authors base their argument on a tradition which, compared with other cults, reveals the symbolic characteristics of fire more conspicuously and more succinctly, namely, Zoroastrianism.University of TehranResearch in Contemporary World Literature2588-4131123820070622--18435FAJournal Article19700101The present study investigated the relationship among emotional intelligence, assertiveness and verbal participation of learners of English as a foreign language. The sample included 68 female and 47 male learners of English as a foreign language at two levels of language proficiency (elementary and intermediate). The learners completed Cyberia Shrink’s Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and NEO Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-PIR) and the teachers completed the verbal participation rating scale. Significant correlations were obtained among verbal participation and assertiveness and extraversion; however, there was no significant relationship between verbal participation and emotional intelligence. Simultaneous and stepwise regression analyses were performed revealing that three variables (extraversion, language proficiency level and gender) accounted for 17.1 percent of the variance in verbal participation. Personality type (extraversion-introversion) differences were found in the average level in verbal participation and assertiveness. Based on the results, the authors recommend inclusion of assertiveness training programs in introverted English learners’ curriculum.The present study investigated the relationship among emotional intelligence, assertiveness and verbal participation of learners of English as a foreign language. The sample included 68 female and 47 male learners of English as a foreign language at two levels of language proficiency (elementary and intermediate). The learners completed Cyberia Shrink’s Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and NEO Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-PIR) and the teachers completed the verbal participation rating scale. Significant correlations were obtained among verbal participation and assertiveness and extraversion; however, there was no significant relationship between verbal participation and emotional intelligence. Simultaneous and stepwise regression analyses were performed revealing that three variables (extraversion, language proficiency level and gender) accounted for 17.1 percent of the variance in verbal participation. Personality type (extraversion-introversion) differences were found in the average level in verbal participation and assertiveness. Based on the results, the authors recommend inclusion of assertiveness training programs in introverted English learners’ curriculum.University of TehranResearch in Contemporary World Literature2588-4131123820070622--18436FAJournal Article19700101Contemporary drama differs from its classical counterpart in many respects, including 'the three unities' and some other cumbersome dramatic rules. It seems as if all classical dramatic criteria such as action, character, dialogue have undergone a drastic transformation and time has also lost its linear flow. The contemporary dramatic text has a distorted structure which deals with daily issues and bespeaks the problems of today’s society.
This article discusses these structural and conceptual differences through a comparative approach applied to Negin, an Iranian play, by Hamid Amjad. In this play, the author contends, social realities create tension and the circular structure of the play negates the liberation of the characters.To clarify the novelties of the play, samples of contemporary French drama will also be presented.Contemporary drama differs from its classical counterpart in many respects, including 'the three unities' and some other cumbersome dramatic rules. It seems as if all classical dramatic criteria such as action, character, dialogue have undergone a drastic transformation and time has also lost its linear flow. The contemporary dramatic text has a distorted structure which deals with daily issues and bespeaks the problems of today’s society.
This article discusses these structural and conceptual differences through a comparative approach applied to Negin, an Iranian play, by Hamid Amjad. In this play, the author contends, social realities create tension and the circular structure of the play negates the liberation of the characters.To clarify the novelties of the play, samples of contemporary French drama will also be presented.University of TehranResearch in Contemporary World Literature2588-4131123820070622--18437FAJournal Article19700101Based on the theories of Jakobson who believes that a literary text consists of a series of linguistic strategies, this article studies a short poem by Parvin E'tessami, a contemporary Iranian, woman poet. To elucidate how the poet uses structural tactics, the authors throw light upon its grammatical features such as verb forms, syntax, phonetic features achieved by its rhyme pattern, and lexical features including repetitions, synonyms and antonyms. The study shows that these features play an important role in creating a sharp contrast between the two persons involved in the poem and, at the same time, giving more prominance to the poem's content.Based on the theories of Jakobson who believes that a literary text consists of a series of linguistic strategies, this article studies a short poem by Parvin E'tessami, a contemporary Iranian, woman poet. To elucidate how the poet uses structural tactics, the authors throw light upon its grammatical features such as verb forms, syntax, phonetic features achieved by its rhyme pattern, and lexical features including repetitions, synonyms and antonyms. The study shows that these features play an important role in creating a sharp contrast between the two persons involved in the poem and, at the same time, giving more prominance to the poem's content.University of TehranResearch in Contemporary World Literature2588-4131123820070622--18438FAJournal Article19700101The present study investigates how accurately EFL learners assess their understanding of the meaning of unknown words, and whether language proficiency and gender influence their self-assessment. The study was carried out in three phases. In phase one, participants took a proficiency test and read a text in which forty items were highlighted. They were required to assess their understanding of the meaning of unknown words on a four-point scale. In phase two, they provided a translation, synonym, antonym, or an explanation of the unknown words. In phase three, they received the same self-assessment sheet to reassess their understanding of the meaning of unknown words. The results indicated that learners' assessments are not reliable. Moreover, it was found that proficiency in the L2 and gender influence learners' self-assessment. Therefore, on the basis of the findings, L2 learners are encouarged to check the accuracy of their guesses.The present study investigates how accurately EFL learners assess their understanding of the meaning of unknown words, and whether language proficiency and gender influence their self-assessment. The study was carried out in three phases. In phase one, participants took a proficiency test and read a text in which forty items were highlighted. They were required to assess their understanding of the meaning of unknown words on a four-point scale. In phase two, they provided a translation, synonym, antonym, or an explanation of the unknown words. In phase three, they received the same self-assessment sheet to reassess their understanding of the meaning of unknown words. The results indicated that learners' assessments are not reliable. Moreover, it was found that proficiency in the L2 and gender influence learners' self-assessment. Therefore, on the basis of the findings, L2 learners are encouarged to check the accuracy of their guesses.University of TehranResearch in Contemporary World Literature2588-4131123820070622--18439FAJournal Article19700101This paper explains Jacques Lacan's view about language and the unconscious. Lacan finds a resemblance between the function of the unconscious mind and the function of language. It means the relation between the Signified & the Signifier which is dominant in language system is the same in the unconscious. In other words, while using signifiers such as sounds and words and thereby creating meaning in the mind of the audience, the unconscious mind in contact with taste, smell of things and people or under the impression of images and past memories rises in our mind in the form of signifiers. From Lacan's view, it is clear that metaphorical and metonymic relation between words has the ability to dynamise man's unconscious.When a child is born he finds himself in a situation among his parents' inter-relations. From then on, the child is in a competitive position with his father to posses his mother. This child, in order to step into competition, should be present in the same symbolic system that his father has been before and use language as a tool to create "Dialogues". This article explains the formation of a “dialogue “with the existence of the language as an element and shows it as a symbolic system. A system which has been shaped in the chil?s mind and will place him in competition with his father to own the “mother”.This paper explains Jacques Lacan's view about language and the unconscious. Lacan finds a resemblance between the function of the unconscious mind and the function of language. It means the relation between the Signified & the Signifier which is dominant in language system is the same in the unconscious. In other words, while using signifiers such as sounds and words and thereby creating meaning in the mind of the audience, the unconscious mind in contact with taste, smell of things and people or under the impression of images and past memories rises in our mind in the form of signifiers. From Lacan's view, it is clear that metaphorical and metonymic relation between words has the ability to dynamise man's unconscious.When a child is born he finds himself in a situation among his parents' inter-relations. From then on, the child is in a competitive position with his father to posses his mother. This child, in order to step into competition, should be present in the same symbolic system that his father has been before and use language as a tool to create "Dialogues". This article explains the formation of a “dialogue “with the existence of the language as an element and shows it as a symbolic system. A system which has been shaped in the chil?s mind and will place him in competition with his father to own the “mother”.University of TehranResearch in Contemporary World Literature2588-4131123820070622--18440FAJournal Article19700101In the twentieth century, Russia was pregnant with events, convulsions, internal and external insurgencies. Writers of the age followed their predecessor, Leo Tolstoy, who had written many works about war in the nineteenth century. Contemporary writers in this century also wrote about war literature and created outstanding works in this field. Among these writers we can refer to Mikhail Sholokhov, known for works like Quiet Flows the Don and The Fate of a Man. The issue of human fate has been one of the main subjects of literature in different periods. Giving a general title to his novel, Sholokhov sets about this subject. The writer has described the fate of heroes and of the country. Andrei Sakalov, the main hero of the novel, is a symbol of resistance, self-sacrifice, and humanity, going though several bitter experiences up to the end of the novel. This article argues that it is through the power of love and affection that Sakalov could endure and remain human in the context of a corrupt society like the then Russia in which one was more prone to becoming a beast.In the twentieth century, Russia was pregnant with events, convulsions, internal and external insurgencies. Writers of the age followed their predecessor, Leo Tolstoy, who had written many works about war in the nineteenth century. Contemporary writers in this century also wrote about war literature and created outstanding works in this field. Among these writers we can refer to Mikhail Sholokhov, known for works like Quiet Flows the Don and The Fate of a Man. The issue of human fate has been one of the main subjects of literature in different periods. Giving a general title to his novel, Sholokhov sets about this subject. The writer has described the fate of heroes and of the country. Andrei Sakalov, the main hero of the novel, is a symbol of resistance, self-sacrifice, and humanity, going though several bitter experiences up to the end of the novel. This article argues that it is through the power of love and affection that Sakalov could endure and remain human in the context of a corrupt society like the then Russia in which one was more prone to becoming a beast.