Techniques of Minimalism in Persian Tercets of Abolghasem Halat

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Vali-e Asr University of Rafsanjan, Kerman, Iran

2 M.A.of Persian Language and Literature, Vali-e Asr University of Rafsanjan, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Abstract
Literary minimalism led to the development of a new genre of minimalist stories. The present study investigates narrative features of minimal stories by Abolghasem Halat. It seeks to find answers to the following questions:
1) What minimalistic techniques are used in Persian tercets of Abolghasem Halat?
2) What elements of minimalist stories are found in his Persian tercets?
 
Discussion
Abolghasem Halat is a Persian poet who masters Persian tercets in expressing his thoughts and creating minimalistic sarcastic situations. The most salient aspect of his narrative style is the use of consecutive adjectives for his characters that serves to 1) enhance the rhythm; 2) build humor; and 3) ccreate narrative empathy in the readers to reorient their thoughts.
His stories feature two completely contrasting characters that differ in terms of physics and social ranking. The stories build upon their dialogues, conflicts, descriptions, attitudes, and desires. His stories portray symbolic and extraordinary people that create special situations through their comic and surprising behaviors. Moreover, Halat's narratives correspond to the real-time of the events and match them in their duration, though in most cases time is ambiguous because the plot is bound to no specific time. 
Halat’s greatness lies in his masterful combination of classic and modern narrative styles in creating a unique comic atmosphere. The present study claims that narrative eloquence, on the one hand, and reserved use of words/expression, on the other, are two key factors that differentiate his minimalistic stories. Metaphor and irony are backbones of Halat’s oeuvre that feed his stories and characterize his tercets. He also takes great advantage of fables. His tercets make up a set of stories that bear many similarities. His mastery in minimalistic stories is manifested in dialogues and actions, the combination of which instigates a sense of artistic capability in conveying social messages, on the one hand, and creates comic atmosphere, on the other.
The beginning of many of his stories resembles anecdotes in that they all start with a description of characters. However, there are times that stories take more modern color and begin abruptly as if they depict a part of the protagonist’s life. They mostly surprise the reader. Almost all the stories end as the author expects the reader to partake in finishing the plot. This best justifies the comic sense behind the major events.
 
Conclusion
Persian tercets are characterized by time and place constraints, disadvantaged characters, and realistic settings. More specifically, Abolghasem Halat uses humor, fables, and long descriptions that distinguish him from his contemporaries. The ending of his stories reflects the aim of his humor and broadly differentiates his style. 

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Main Subjects

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Literary Arts
Volume 12, Issue 3 - Serial Number 32
September 2020
Pages 53-66

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