Center and Exile in Comparative Literature; An Introduction to the Historical Role of Contemporary Literary Centers of the World in Iranian Literary Developments

This study provides a theoretical introduction to the significance of "literary centers" in comparative literature and examines the role of contemporary global literary centers in Iranian literary transformations. Drawing upon three conceptual frameworks - Professor Shafiee-Kadkani's "network-center" theory, Casanova's notion of the "capital of the world republic of literature," and Beaugrande and Eckstein's "polyphonic city" model - the paper first establishes a working definition of literary centers. It then specifically examines the influence of three exemplary centers: the Caucasus, Istanbul, and Berlin, on Iranian literary movements. A literary center may be defined as a spatial-place entity possessing cultural-literary determinacy, political-economic power, and attractive force capable of assimilating, absorbing, and elevating literary phenomena while enhancing its own prestige. Furthermore, certain centers exhibit "discursive democracy" (exemplified by the "polyphonic city"), enabling pluralistic narratives and creative expression. The study concludes that: 1.Literary centers play a crucial role in facilitating intercultural literary exchanges and comparative literary studies. 2. These centers have been instrumental in introducing modern Western literary works and genres to Iran, thereby enabling Persian literature to engage with world literature. This influence manifests particularly in the emergence of modern Iranian drama and fiction, the flourishing of literary translation, and their subsequent impact on Persian literary production.