ماهیت رمزگان‌های رولان بارت در خوانش معنایی واحدهای داستان شرق بنفشه اثر شهریار مندنی پور

Extended Abstract

Research Objective

This research aims to analyze the application of Barthes' codes in interpreting the meaning within the short story "Violet Orient." The hypothesis posits that "Violet Orient" is an author-centered text influenced by Roland Barthes' theories. Notably, there has been a lack of research on multivalence and semiotics in "Violet Orient" thus far, making this study significant.

Previous studies relevant to this research include seminal works on semiotics by Roland Barthes, Umberto Eco, and Daniel Chandler, as well as analyses of Saussure: Signs, System and Arbitrariness by David Holdcroft and explorations of Structuralism and Semiotics by Terence Hawkes. Additionally, studies have been conducted on Mandanipour's works, such as Nasrin Malekmarzban's article on animal semiotics, Fatemeh Heydari's article on intertextuality in "Violet Orient," and Masoumeh Nazari's article on the mythological position of the violet flower in Vis and Ramin. However, no research has specifically addressed the topics of multivalence and semiotics in the short story "Violet Orient" until now.

Materials and Methods

This study employs a descriptive-analytical approach to examine the meaning and symbols in "Violet Orient," which offers multiple perspectives for interpretation. The research utilizes Roland Barthes' theories, mainly focusing on the five codes: hermeneutic, action, connotative, symbolic, and cultural.

Findings

The hermeneutic code is apparent from the opening lines of "Violet Orient," inviting readers to decipher the text's enigmatic and mysterious elements. Through various puzzles and mysteries, the story presents hermeneutic codes that create tension and suspense, engaging the reader. These hermeneutic codes and their arrangement form the foundation of the narrative.

The action codes encompass narrative units that collectively shape the text and drive the story forward. Barthes views this code as a sequence of actions establishing a narrative chain. In "Violet Orient," several actions and small narrative elements facilitate the story's progression. Descriptions and expansions of these actions set the stage for the story's development.

Symbolic codes represent opposing elements that carry meaning and serve as points of convergence between the text and the reader. Examining symbolic meanings in "Violet Orient" reveals its multivalent nature and profound, constructed romantic meaning. Mandanipour draws inspiration from books encoded within the text, particularly those associated with Zabih and Arghavan. The naming of characters like Zabih and Arghavan alludes to stories such as Layla and Majnun.

Connotative codes in the story revolve around the symbolic letters exchanged between Zabih and Arghavan. "Violet Orient" presents a complex narrative centered on love, with Zabih deciphering his letters and expressions of love through Shams Tabrizi's sonnets, conveying textual connotations to Arghavan.

Conclusion

The analysis of "Violet Orient" reveals the presence of four codes: hermeneutic, action, symbolic, and connotative. The hermeneutic code revolves around two primary enigmas, the violet flower and the snake, which are central mysteries in the story yet remain unresolved for the reader. The action codes encompass many actions, with 18 interconnected actions propelling the narrative forward, primarily focusing on the love between Zabih and Arghavan and their adventures.

The symbolic codes in "Violet Orient" unveil 17 dualities, with the primary dualities being union-separation and Murid-Murad, while others serve as subsidiary elements. These symbolic dualities contribute to the intricate web of meaning in the story. The connotative codes highlight 13 implicit references, establishing intertextual connections within the narrative. The violet flower emerges as a significant hermeneutic code that underpins the entire story, yet its complete interpretation eludes the reader, leaving it open to subjective understanding. The reader's active role in interpreting the text identifies "Violet Orient" as an author-centered work in which the reader acts as a conduit between the written text and its interpretation.

Overall, the application of Barthes' codes in the analysis of "Violet Orient" sheds light on the complex layers of meaning and interpretation within the story, offering a deeper understanding of the text's authorial intentions and the reader's role in constructing meaning.

Keywords: Story, Violet Orient, codes, Roland Barthes, Multivalence

References

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- Owarati, Nahoku. (2004). "Symbolism in Classic Persian Literary Texts," Literary Research Journal, Vol. 8, No. 21, pp. 147-160.

- Habibian, Maryam. (2022). "Analysis of Symbolism in the Story 'Lion and Cow' in Kalila and Demna by Abu'l-Ma'ali Nasrallah," Literary Criticism and Theory, No. 13, pp. 55-77.

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- Moradi, Ayoub. (2020). "An Examination of Semantic Multiplicity in Rumi's 'King and Maid' Based on Roland Barthes' System of Narrative Codes," Journal of Mystical Literary Research, No. 2, pp. 189-210.

- Nazari, Masoumeh. (2018). "The Mythological Significance of the Violet Flower in 'Vis and Ramin' Based on Greek Mythology," Bahar Sokhan Journal, Vol. 15, No. 42, pp. 45-62.

- Najafi, Zohreh. (2016). "Analysis and Interpretation of Textual Symbols in 'The Parrot and the Merchant' in Masnavi," Literary Arts, No. 2, pp. 191-200.