A Comparative Study of Themes in the Works of Emily Dickinson and Parvin Etesami

Comparing the themes of poems is a suitable means by which the poetic themes among poets of two different cultures and literatures can be analyzed. The poetic theme is the way the poet expresses their thoughts and purpose, and also can be referred to as the way a poet presents their speech. Therefore, examining the poetic theme among different poems of Persian literature and non-Iranian poets can be a new perspective in understanding poetic themes in the field of comparative literature; especially since the poetry of female poets has been less studied in this field. Parvin Etesami is one of the famous female poets in the history of Iranian literature, and Emily Elizabeth Dickinson is an American poet. Since the poetic themes of these two poets have not been analyzed much in the field of comparative literature, the subject of this research has been chosen as 'A Comparative Study of Themes in the Works of Emily Dickinson and Parvin Etesami'. The results show that the themes of the works of Emily Dickinson and Parvin Etesami are similar and different in multiple aspects and points, which include love, death, God, and nature. Emily Dickinson perceives love as a profound and nearly spiritual force intertwined with life and immortality, frequently questioning humanity's ability to fully understand it. In contrast, Parvin Etesami highlights love as a journey of sacrifice and suffering, deeply anchored in moral and social responsibility, reflecting her cultural and mystical perspective. Additionally, Dickinson approaches death with curiosity and acceptance, often personifying it as a companion or a voyage, while Etesami views death as a mystical transition to spiritual liberation, underscoring its moral lessons and the importance of preparing for the afterlife. On the theme of God, Dickinson grapples with doubt and questions traditional religious beliefs, depicting God as both a source of comfort and mystery. In contrast, Etesami perceives God as the ultimate truth and center of existence, emphasizing servitude, surrender, and a mystical connection to the divine. Lastly, concerning nature, Dickinson portrays it as both a source of beauty and a force of destruction, using it to explore existential questions, while Etesami personifies natural elements to convey moral and spiritual lessons, seeing nature as a manifestation of divine wisdom and beauty. This study is conducted as qualitative research in a descriptive-research manner using a library method.

کلیدواژه ها:

Comparative Literature ، Emily Dickinson ، Parvin Etesami ، Poetic Themes