Cover
Table of Contents
A Note on Translation, Transliteration and Footnotes
Acknowledgments
Introduction
A Historical-Cultural Context
Parvīn Iᶜtiṣāmī’s Life
Research on Parvīn Iᶜtiṣāmī outside Iran
Studying Parvīn Iᶜtiṣāmī in Iran
Gaps in Previous Studies
Research Question
Conceptual Framework and Methodology
Organisation of Chapters
Chapter One. The Conundrum of Parvīn Iᶜtiṣāmī’s Authorship
Muslim–Iranian Gender Norms
Writing and Publishing: Acts of Transgression
The Obligations of Femininity
As Feminine As a ‘Woman’
Transgressing Gender Norms
Conclusion
Chapter Two. Munāẓara: Parvīn Iᶜtiṣāmī’s Mirror of Transgressive Innovations
Persian munāẓara: A Historical Background
Asadī’s Munāẓaras: A Brief Survey
An Introduction to Parvīn’s Munāẓaras
Parvīn’s Religiosity
‘God’s Weaver’: An Investigation
Conclusion
Introduction
Constitutional Revolution (1905–1911)
Re-establishment of Monarchy: The Pahlavi Regime
Introduction of Socio-political Themes into Persian Poetry
Socio-political Themes in Parvīn’s Poetry: A Backdrop
‘Sapling of Hope’
‘Women in Iran’
‘O Labourer!’
‘Debate’
‘Thief and Judge’
‘Drunk and Sober’126
A Mystical Interpretation
Socio-political Implications
Conclusion
Why is Parvīn Iᶜtiṣāmī Still Popular?
A Reception History of Parvīn’s Mystic-didactic Poetry
Classical Persian Poetry in School Curricula
Parvīn’s Poetry in School Curricula
Luṭf-i ḥaqq (‘God’s Grace’)74
Saᶜī-yu ᶜamal (‘Endeavour and Action’)
Dirakht-i bī-bar (‘Fruitless Tree’)
Ārizū-yi parvāz (‘Longing to Fly’)
Surūd-i khārkan (‘Thistle-collector’s Song’)
Mast-u hushyār (‘Drunk and Sober’)
Conclusion
Chapter 5. Parvīn’s Poetry in Service of Contemporary Politics
Ali Khamenei, Engrossed by Parvīn Iᶜtiṣāmī
Conclusion
Epilogue
Appendix
Notes
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
Index
