Societies in Persian literature

Societies in Persian literature

Postcolonial Reading of Jalal Al-e-Ahmad’s View Point: The Case Study of his Gharbzadegi: Weststrucknes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mahsoumeh Shamsi nakhjiri 1
Hadi Noori 2
Mohammadreza Gholami 3
1 Master's degree student in Sociology, Department of Social Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2 Assistant Professor of Sociology, Department of Social Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
3 Associate Professor of Sociology, Department of Social Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
10.30488/sipl.2025.496672.1074
Abstract
The current study aims to analyze Jalel Al-e-Ahmad’s views on the West, assessing whether his ideas align with colonialist discourse or show signs of resistance. If resistance is present, what form does it take? Is this resistance active or passive? The approach is interpretive and focused on basic research, using an interrogative strategy. The theoretical framework relies on postcolonial theories, especially Homi Bhabha’s critical insights. The case study centers on Jalal Al-e Ahmad’s Gharbzadegi: Weststruckness, with Derrida’s deconstruction serving as the analytical method. The findings reveal fifteen binary oppositions with hierarchical relationships within the text. In this book, women’s voices are either excluded or marginalized, with patriarchy as the dominant rule. The main narrative is a tragedy with the potential for comedy. Subtle readings suggest that Jalal Al-e-Ahmad criticizes Weststruckness itself, not the West. Combining elements of Western civilization with indigenous culture can create a third cultural space that neither negates nor submits to Western influence. By making and possessing the machine, one can avoid being trapped by it. Therefore, resistance to colonialism can be achieved
Keywords
Post
colonialism Identity Deconstruction Jalal Al
Ahmad Weststruckness
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