The Rhetoric of Representing Family and Women in the Works of Zoya Pirzad: Analyzing Narrative Language and the Use of Socio-Cultural Codes in Texts

Abstract

This article analyzes the representation of family and women in the works of Zoya Pirzad, with a particular focus on her novel I Will Turn Off the Lights. The main objective of this study is to examine how Pirzad employs narrative language and socio-cultural codes to depict family roles and feminine identities. Special attention is given to the use of rhetorical language and cultural symbols, which provide a profound, multifaceted portrayal of women's lives in Iranian society. This research adopts a qualitative approach and content analysis to explore the rhetorical elements, precise descriptions, and metaphorical language that Pirzad employs to reflect the social and psychological challenges facing women. Findings indicate that Pirzad, through a language that is both simple and layered, successfully constructs an independent and dynamic image of women within a realistic framework. The socio-cultural codes embedded in her narratives serve as a bridge between social realities and the fictional world, helping the reader gain a deeper understanding of women’s daily lives and identity struggles. Overall, this study reveals that Pirzad’s works, by integrating rhetorical language, cultural codes, and rich narrative techniques, offer a realistic and profound representation of women and families in contemporary Persian literature, inviting readers to reflect on social and identity-related issues.