Superficial Communication Patterns in Zahra Abdi’s Tarikiye Moa’laq-e Rooz and Hossein Sanapoor’s Atash: A Hortulanusian Approach

The twentieth-century adopted new and challenging approaches toward interpersonal communication and its functions. Informed by the theories of Hortulanus, this study adopts a descriptive-analytic approach to investigate Zahra Abdi’s Tarikiye Moa’laq-e Rooz and Hossein Sanapoor’s Atash. The modern superficial communication pattern, according to Hortulanus, consists of rationalization, selfish individualism, and fleeting bonds. The results of this study show that most interpersonal relations orient toward rationalization, and are in accordance with selfish individualism. In addition, their bonds are fleeting and unsustainable, which, in turn, lead to loneliness and alienation. Echoing the authority of the pattern, the characters adopt a negative and an ambivalent attitude that severs and sacrifices their familial bonds. In both novels, societal issues play an important role in the mindset of the characters regarding the pattern; the other element is the personal aspect, which entails the lack of a supportive family and its emotionless and indifferent bonds.
 
Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
In the twentieth century, societal contact, patterns of communication, loneliness, and alienation become the epicentre of socio-political discourse. Scholars agree on the difficulty of creating and maintaining societal contact. Hortulanus and his colleagues argue that while all societal bonds are not broken, individualism has transformed the society and its persona. Although individualism is a cornerstone in human history, it poses a threat to meaningful communication. It should be noted that literary works are influenced by societal structures, groups, and patterns. Informed by the theories of Hortulanus, this study adopts a descriptive-analytic approach to investigate Zahra Abdi’s Tarikiye Moa’laq-e Rooz and Hossein Sanapoor’s Atash.
2. Methodology
Informed by the theories of Hortulanus, this study adopts a descriptive-analytic approach to investigate Zahra Abdi’s Tarikiye Moa’laq-e Rooz and Hossein Sanapoor’s Atash.
3. Theoretical Framework
Hortulanus and his colleagues investigated the change in societal contact as “superficial patterns of communication.” The characteristic features of such patterns are rationalization, selfish individualism, and fleeting bonds. Rationalization turns around the premise that most societal contacts are rationalized rather than emitionalised. Selfish individualism reduces familial and societal bonds and decreases their profound intimacy. Fleeting bonds, just like former characteristics, negatively affect societal and familial bonds. In this regard, the foundation of interpersonal communication, which is trust, intimacy, and support, is reduced to loneliness, meaninglessness, and alienation.
4. Discussion and Analysis
In the beginning, Athena and Danial maintain rather organized communications. As the narrative unfolds, they abandon their values and move toward a superficial pattern of communication. In both novels, love is depicted as a false and transactional concept. One can classify the change in the characters into personal and social criteria. All families have the least support for the characters. In this regard, the characters abandon their close contact with their families and create a transactional web of communication with the society. Economy is another important factor. Echoing the unfortunate economy of Iran and the effects of heavy sanctions, the characters adopt a cut-throat attitude toward financial gains and abandon intimacy, emotional support, and collective ethics, which, in turn, render them alienated and rejected. Regarding the narrative elements, loneliness is manifested through various elements, such as the gloomy setting of the city, unrequited love, Parisa’s burnt face, and Danial’s approach toward the wavering paternal genes. Loneliness, in Ladan’s narrative, is in accordance with the image and poetry of Forough Farrokhzad, gloomy ambiance, and the recurrent contradiction of the warmth of the bath against the coldness of loneliness.
5. Conclusion
The results of this study show that the interpersonal communication of people and their life choices directly correlate with their societal concerns. The most important aspects are the abandonment of actual feelings, rationalization, and transactional structuring of communication. Marriage, in their view, is reduced to a transactional matter. Athena, Laden, and Danial’s approach toward a value-oriented system of communication proves the claims of this study. In this regard, the fleeting sense of commitment renders the characters alienated and rejected; Laden (suicide) and Athena (banishment) are more troubled than others. Economy is another important factor. Echoing the shaky economy of Iran and the effects of heavy sanctions, the characters adopt a cut-throat attitude toward financial gains and abandon intimacy, emotional support, and collective ethics, which, in turn, renders them alienated and alone. Echoing modernization and the economic crisis of Iran, the abandonment of ethics, social values, and religion are other factors that contribute to the alienation of the characters.
Bibliography
Abdi, Z. 1397 [2018]. Tārikiye Moa’laq-e Rooz. Tehran: Cheshmeh. [In Persian].
Alberti, F. B. 1401 [2022]. Sargozasht-e Tanhāei: Tārikhcheh-e Yek Ehsās. Akram, R (trans.). Tehran: Bidgol. [In Persian].  [A Bibliography of Loneliness: The History of an Emotion]
Hortulanus, R, et al. 1394 [2015]. Enzevāe Ejtemāei dar Jāme’eh-e Modern. Leyla, F and Sadegh, P (trans.). Tehran: Jame’eh Shenasan. [In Persian].
JahanBegloo, R. 1381 [2002]. Mouj-e Chāhārom. Mansour, G (trans.). Tehran: Ney. [In Persian].
Mijuskuvic, B. L. 1403 [2024]. Tanhāei dar Falsafeh, Ravānshenāsi va Adabiyāt. Vahid, G (trans.). Tehran: Negah. [In Persian]. [Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature]
Putnam, R. D. 1403 [2024]. Bowling be Tanhāei: Foroopāshi va Baz-Sāziye Sarmāyeh-e Ejtemāei dar Americā. Qorban, A (trans.). Qazvin: Sham Avid. [In Persian]. [Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community]
Sanapoor, H. 1397 [2018]. Atash. Tehran: Cheshmeh. [In Persian].
ShekarBeiygi, A. 1396 [2017]. Jāme’eh-Shenāsiye Tanhāei-e Zanān. Tehran: Bahman Borna. [In Persian]