Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 18، number In Volume 7، October 2025 ، issue Number 113

The dynamics of thematic creation in the works of Moniro Ravanipour with a surrealist approach

Fatemeh Astane Asl , Bahram Parvin Gonabadi (Author in Charge), Mehrangiz Owhadi

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Background and Objective: Surrealism, as one of the influential literary schools in the 20th century, attempts to recreate reality in a different way by giving authenticity to dreams, the unconscious, and imagination. This article, using an analytical-descriptive approach and content analysis method, examines the hypothesis of Moniro Ravanipour"s use of surrealist elements in his stories. The main focus of the research is on the three opening stories of the Kenizo story collection, including "The Long Night," "Kenizo," and "The Blues." Works in which imaginative elements such as the sea and its stories, magic and spells, mermaids, fishermen, and native women are prominent. These elements reach greater maturity and coherence in the novel "The Drowned." In the author"s other works, although the appearance of myth and magic fades, the thematic development continues with the focus on nature, native myths, and female heroes. Stories such as "The Gypsy by the Fire" and "My Kind Mana Mana" also demonstrate the continuity of surrealist elements in conjunction with social realism. The findings show that while remaining faithful to fixed intellectual concerns, Rawanipour has utilized the capacity of imagination and myth to create dynamic themes and has creatively used language and narrative to construct the theme in representing the psychology of women and the indigenous world.

METHODOLOGY: ethods: This is a qualitative and descriptive-analytical research. Data was collected through library methods, and some of Moniro Ravanipour"s fiction works were analyzed and reviewed, focusing on the components of surrealism.

FINDINGS: Findings: The findings of this study show that Moniro Ravanipour, by utilizing surrealist elements such as dreams, the unconscious, symbolic language, and indigenous myths, creates dynamic and multi-layered themes such as femininity, fear, desire, captivity, and liberation. These themes are formed in a nonlinear and unrealistic context and are a reflection of the connection between the lived experience of women and the psychological and imaginative atmosphere of the text.

CONCLUSION: Conclusion: A review of some of this author"s works shows that Muniro Ravanipour, by utilizing elements of fantasy, dream, symbolism, and mythological-indigenous spaces, has been able to present a creative and unique approach to surrealist content creation. Her narratives, by crossing the boundary of social realism, move towards discovering the invisible layers of the mind, psyche, female history, etc. Thus, her works possess a type of indigenous surrealism in which dreams are not only a means of escaping reality, but also a way to rethink socio-cultural reality.

Keyword
Moniro Ravanipour , Surrealism , Thematic Creation , Unconscious , Contemporary Iranian Fiction , Native Fantasy

• Ahmadi, B. (1996). Truth and beauty. (Haghighat va Zibaei). (2nd ed.). Markaz Publishing.
• Braheni, R. (2001). Gold in copper. (Tala dar Mes). Zaryab.
• Pakbaz, R. (2000). Encyclopedia of art. (Dāyerat-ol-ma'āref-e Honar). Tehran: [Publisher not specified].
• Ravani-Pour, M. (1990). Kanizu (2nd ed.). Niloufar Publishing, Tehran.
• Ravani-Pour, M. (2001). Kanizu (4th ed.). Niloufar Publishing, Tehran.
• Ravani-Pour, M. (2015). Kooli Kenar-e Atash. Markaz Publishing, Tehran.
• Ravani-Pour, M. (1989). Ahl-e gharq. Tehran: Khaneh-ye Aftab.
• Ravani-Pour, M. (1990). Sangha-ye Sheytan. Markaz Publishing, Tehran.
• Seyed-Hosseini, R. (2008). Literary schools. (Maktab-ha-ye Adabi). (14th ed.). Negah Publishing, Tehran.
• Shamisa, S. (2011). Literary schools. (Maktab-ha-ye Adabi). Tehran: Ghatreh Publishing.
• Mokhtarian, B. (2013). An introduction to the mythological structure of Shahnameh. (Darāmadi bar Sakhtār-e Asātiri-ye Shāhnāmeh). Agah Publishing, Tehran.
• Parham, S. (1981). Realism and surrealism (1st ed.). Agah Publishing, Tehran.
• Campbell, J. (2018). The power of myth. (Qodrat-e Ostoureh). (A. Mokhber, Trans.; 14th ed.). Markaz Publishing, Tehran. (Original work published 1988).
• Servat, M. (2006). Introduction to literary schools. (Āshnāyi bā Maktab-hā-ye Adabi). Tehran: Sokhan.
• Asgari-Hasankaloo, A. (2008). Social criticism of contemporary Persian novels: With emphasis on ten selected novels. (Naqd-e Ejtemā'i-ye Romān-e Mo'āser-e Fārsi). Tehran: Forouzan Publishing.
• Sajjadi, Z., & Bassari, T. (1986). Literary styles and schools (Dor-e Dary). (Sabk-hā va Maktab-hā-ye Adabi). Tehran: Arman Publishing.
• Fotouhi, M. (2006). Characteristics of surrealistic imagery. (Vizhegi-ha-ye Tasvir-e Sūreālisti). Journal of the Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Mashhad University, 39(152), [page range not specified].
• Rezaei, S. (2016). Analysis of folkloric elements in Moniru Ravani-Pour's stories. Literary Criticism Quarterly, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
• Azimi-Far, H., & Ramezani, Z. (2024). Magical realism characteristics in the short story collection Kanizu. Specialized Journal of Persian Language and Literature, Islamic Azad University, Kerman Branch.
• Saberi-Daryasari. (2024). Analysis of myth and elements of native realism and regional literature in Moniru Ravani-Pour's fictional works. Bahar-e Adab Quarterly, 17(5).