Construction of Female Identity in Iranian Intellectual Texts (Persian Constitutional Revolution until the 1st Pahlavi Era)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mehran Sohrabzadeh
Mohsen Niazi
Narges Nikkhah Ghamsari
Andisheh Akbari
Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Kashan
10.22034/jcsc.2020.39140
Abstract
Female identity and its formation in modernity era is a challenging issue, which has been a subject of many attempts by social science scholars and historians. This paper aims to understand how female identity in Iranian intellectual texts (Persian Constitutional Revolution era until 1st Pahlavi era) has been constructed. Therefore, we aim to answer questions on effective intellectual trends, type of texts used and how intellectuals played role in construction of concept of woman in Iranian society. The research method is representation via analysis of texts and documents remained from this period. The results have shown that Iranian intellectuals of this period focus the modern woman as the "other" and the opposite of the traditional woman by publishing the press, books, novels, poems and literature, play and lecture by denying the tradition, alienating it and also following the western modernity concepts. The efforts made by Iranian intellectuals have played a significant role in the transition of Persian women traditional identity to a modern phase. These endeavors along with the emerging movement of women in the society which has been realized through their social, economic and political participation have resulted in increased knowledge of Persian women. However, it is necessary to note that this modern identity is still in conflict with some aspects of tradition.
Keywords
construct
identity
traditional woman
modern woman
Iranian intellectualism

Hall. S (1997) The work of representation. In S. Hall (Ed. ), The work of Representation, in Cultural Reprentation and Signifying Practice, London: SAGE Publications.
Cultural Studies & Communication
Volume 16, Issue 61
Winter 2021
Pages 151-176