Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 18، number In Volume 2، May 2025 ، issue Number 108

Representation of Basic Anxiety in the Character of Women in the Novel "Secret in the Alleys" Based on Karen Horney's Theory

Razieh Shabestari , Nahid Azizi (Author in Charge), Foziyeh Parsa , Mohammad Sadegh Tafazzoli

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: According to Karen Horney"s perspective, inappropriate and abnormal childhood conditions prevent the development of a child"s talents and cause anxiety and distress in the child, which is called "basic anxiety." In such an insecure environment, the child is looking for an escape route that can save her/ himself from being harassed by others in order to be less anxious and fearful, and in the meantime, she/he benefits from the three techniques of "detached personality", "dominant personality", and "aggressive personality". In this article, the mechanism of basic anxiety from Karen Horney"s perspective in the character of women in the novel "Secret in the Alleys" by Fariba Vafi has been examined and analyzed.

METHODOLOGY: The present study uses a descriptive-analytical approach to examine the basic anxiety in the novel A Secret in the Alleys and analyzes and traces the dreams, feelings and emotions, needs, desires and women"s reactions to situations in light of Karen Horney"s theory of personality anxiety.

FINDINGS: The psychological atmosphere prevailing in the novel "A Secret in the Alleys" is filled with anxiety and distress, and the description of the characters in this novel is very skillful. Also, due to the deep anxiety that is institutionalized in the characters, stagnation prevails over the women in the novel and the future has no meaning for them. Anxiety and worry in the behavior and reactions of the characters are seen most in Humeyra and Mahrokh, but other women also inevitably suffer from basic anxiety based on their childhood experiences.

CONCLUSION: Analysis of the female characters in this novel based on Horney"s theory of basic anxiety shows that Humeyra is the only woman who has become a detached character to treat her neurosis and basic anxiety, who turns to avoiding people, independence, and perfection to treat her neurosis. The character of Mahrokh turns to a combination of aggression and separation to treat her inner anxiety. On the one hand, she has become painfully passive towards her husband and has no hope of liberation and salvation, and on the other hand, she is not yet desperate towards her children and tries to use aggression to prevent her children, especially her daughters, from suffering her bitter fate. The characters of Aziz and Azar have also turned to aggression to treat their anxiety. They respectively consider the move against Mahrokh and Gholam Ali as a means of achieving power, exploitation, gaining prestige, enjoying admiration, and progress. Mastane and Monir have also become domineering personalities to treat their inner anxiety, and the need to move towards people, the need for approval and affection, and the need for affection are among the most important characteristics of this group.

Keyword
Karen Horney , anxiety , contemporary fiction , A Secret in the Alleys , Fariba Vafi

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