THE PROBLEMS OF SHORT PROSE BY SIMIN DANESHVAR:ON THE MATERIAL OF THE COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES ʺTO WHOM SHALL I SAY HELLO?ʺ

Abstract

Background. Iranian women's prose of the 20th century. is defined by the reflection of the complex struggle between traditional and religious values ​​and the desire for personal freedom. In the works of fiction of the second half of the 20th century. the central place is occupied by the themes of female identity, social inequality, the struggle for equality and the inner world of women in a patriarchal society. A vivid example of such transformations in Persian literature was the work of Simin Daneshvar (1921–2012) – a writer and translator, recognized in Iran and the world.

The limited number of scientific works in Ukraine devoted to Iranian women's prose of the second half of the 20th – early 21st centuries, in particular the works of S. Daneshvar, determines the novelty and relevance of this investigation, the purpose of which is to establish the thematic structure and conflict dynamics in the prose works of S. Daneshvar based on the analysis of the collection of stories " To whom shall I say hello?" («به کی سلام کنم؟»). The main task of the article is to identify the leading problems and socio-psychological conflicts in the stories of the collection «To whom shall I say hello?» by S. Daneshvar.

Methods. The following research methods were used: theoretical analysis (study of scientific literature on the topic of the study), elements of comparative-thematic analysis, psychological and feminist criticism, interpretive approach, hermeneutic approach and descriptive method.

Results. During the analysis of four stories «To whom shall I say hello?» («به کی سلام کنم؟»), «Broken ball» («تیله شکسته»), «Accident» («تصادف»), «Snake and man» («مار و مرد») from the collection «To whom shall I say hello?» («به کی سلام کنم؟»), the main problems and socio-psychological conflicts that occur in the prose works of S. Daneshvar were identified. The analysis revealed what social, psychological, existential or cultural problems the author brings to the center of the artistic image.

Conclusions. The main problems and conflicts in the stories of the collection “To whom shall I say hello?” by Simin Daneshvar are: social isolation, fear of the future and lonely old age, class inequality, gender discrimination, spiritual decline and feigned religiosity, belief in superstitions, identity crisis, woman as a victim and as a subject of change in a patriarchal society, etc.