Psychoanalytic Critique of the Characters in Mahmoud Dowlatabadi’s Novel Kelidar (Based on the Theories of Freud, Jung, and Adler)

Abstract

The present article, adopting the approach of psychological criticism—a branch of modern literary criticism—aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of literary works and their creators. This method of critique and analysis focuses on the hidden dimensions, as well as the internal and psychological states, of the author and the characters. It assists the reader in achieving a more comprehensive perception of the literary work and in attaining a greater familiarity with its meaning and essence. The current study, using a descriptive-analytical method, investigates and critiques the characters in the novel Kelidar through the lens of psychological theories developed by prominent thinkers such as Freud, Jung, and Adler. The central question addressed in this study is: what is the psychoanalytic profile of the characters in Kelidar according to the theories of Freud, Jung, and Adler? The findings indicate that this novel, which is based on real events, portrays the multifaceted personalities of its main characters. Each character is accompanied by a "mask," "shadow," and "id," and they frequently undergo personality disturbances. Nevertheless, with the aid of their inner strength and the guidance of a wise elder, some characters—such as Gol-Mohammad and Zivar—achieve inner peace, while others—such as Belqis and Sattar—come into alignment with their own masks and, in the role of the wise elder, support other characters in the pursuit of individuation and self-realization.