From Everydayness to Self-Awareness: A Comparative Analysis of Plot, Time, and Space in Selected Novels by Zoya Pirzad and Jojo Moyes

Abstract

Plot, time, and space are considered fundamental elements in the structure of the novel, and the manner in which they are employed not only defines the author’s style but also reflects their worldview. This article presents a comparative analysis of these three elements in two novels: I’ll Turn Off the Lights by Zoya Pirzad and Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. The central question is how these two authors, despite evident differences in cultural context and literary tradition, demonstrate similarities and differences in plot structure, the function of time, and the representation of space. The findings indicate that both novels follow a classical three-part structure; however, through the use of temporal shifts, detailed depictions of everyday life, and open endings, they approach the boundaries of the modern novel. Time in both works is non-linear and intertwined with the characters’ memories and associations. Space, likewise, extends beyond a mere backdrop and plays a decisive role in shaping the characters’ identities. Abadan in Pirzad’s novel and London in Moyes’s novel function not only as geographical settings but also as integral components of the thematic structure. This study was conducted using a descriptive–analytical method, drawing on the works of Payandeh (2016), Jung (1981), Watt (1963), and Kanaani (2009).