A Psychological Re-Reading of the Novel "Haras" (An Explanation and Analysis of the Enduring Psychological Consequences of War in the Characters of the Novel "Haras")
Subject Areas : Islamic Revolution and sacred defense literature
DR abolfazl ghanizadeh
1
,
noushin derakhshan
2
*
1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Payam Noor University, Tehran.Iran.
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Educational sciences and Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Haras, War, Defensive Strategies, Adaptive Patterns, and Defensive Mechanisms.,
Abstract :
The novel Haras, published in 2017 in the field of literature by NasimMarashi, portrays the years of a war-torn family's life and reflects the facets of fear and anxiety individuals face when dealing with problems such as war and the resulting grief.
After briefly mentioning the psychological consequences of war in human societies, in a descriptive-analytical way, this article firstly describes the strategies to deal with fear and stress caused by war, then the matching examples in the behavioral response of Rasul and Nawal as the two central characters of the story with the amount of damage explained the high adaptability and based on the concept of stress disorder caused by psychological blows of war to analyze strategies; It deals with coping, compromise patterns and defense mechanisms.The result of the research shows: that the novel Haras can be analyzed and explained based on coping strategies and compromise patterns as well as Freud's defense mechanisms, and how these strategies, patterns, and mechanisms are applied has a decisive role in the mental health and subsequently the fate of its hero.
Introduction
The novel "Haras" by NasimMarashi was published in 2017 under the name of Jang.It narrates the years of life affected by the war of a Khorramshahri family and reveals their style and behavior in dealing with the negative psychological consequences of the war.The consequences, if analyzed and interpreted in psychology based on coping strategies, adaptive patterns, and explanatory mechanisms, can alleviate psychological tensions in similar situations and lead to mental health and well-being.
Rasool and Naval, as the main characters of the story, are trapped by these consequences and complex and nested layers of psychological tensions.In the period after the war, Naval became pregnant to give birth to a son and fill the void of Sharhan, who was lost in the war.Incorrectly diagnosing the gender of the fetus, infant substitution, Tahani's suffocation, and the eldest daughter's mental illness add fresh and intricate psychological wounds to the scenes of the story, ultimately leading to daily conflicts and, eventually, Navaal's expulsion from the house.
In the ups and downs of the story and its various scenes, Rasoul and Naval act according to their cognitive and behavioral abilities, and the situations in which they find themselves lead them to unconsciously employ coping strategies, adaptive patterns, and defense mechanisms.
Counteracting strategies for reducing mental stress using problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance approaches, adaptive patterns in two reactive approaches, practical and defensive, and defensive mechanisms in suppressing, displacement, denial, rationalization, camaraderie, bonding, and fantasy are employed.
In various scenes of the story, Rasoul uses problem-focused coping strategies and defensive mechanisms of displacement and suppression.In adaptive patterns, he utilizes practical reactive responses to reduce mental stress.Meanwhile, Naval employs incompatible emotion-focused and avoidance coping strategies, defensive mechanisms of suppression, denial, rationalization, isolation, fantasy, and physical type, and in adaptive patterns, she employs defensive reactive responses to reduce tensions.
In conclusion of the article, it is deduced that alongside post-war life, not only have the psychological damages of families not disappeared, but their depth and intensity have also increased.The positive impacts of effective coping strategies, adaptive patterns, and defensive mechanisms, as well as their negative effects, are understandable and interpretable in human life, and conscious use of them can lead to the mental health and well-being of those affected by mental injuries.
Background of the Research
In recent years, interdisciplinary research, especially in psychology and literature, has gained more attention, and many articles focusing on psychological readings of novels and poetry have been written.In line with the subject of the present article, which is based on a psychoanalytic approach centered around defense mechanisms, several studies have been conducted on other novels.Notable among these are the articles "A Freudian Reading of the Novel SuranSard" by Mahmoud AghakhaniBeizhni and colleagues (2019), "An Examination of Psychological Defense Mechanisms in the Novel The Suspended Bridge" by Zeinab Haji and colleagues (2014), "An Analysis of Psychological Defense Mechanisms in the Works of SiminDaneshvar with a Focus on the Novels Suvashun, Island of Confusion, and The Wandering Camel Driver" by Zahra Doosti and colleagues (2023), "An Examination of Esfandiar's Defense Mechanisms in the Battle of Rostam" by Alami (2015), "Character Analysis of Rostam in the Story of Rostam and Sohrab Based on Defense Mechanisms" by Salehi and colleagues (2019), and the article "Analysis of the Novel Men of the Sun Based on Freud's Theory of Defense Mechanisms" by MollaEbrahimi and Hamze (2022).
In non-academic research, one can refer to the article by OmidiSarvar (2016) titled "The Headless Palm Trees, " the article "A Look at the Novel Hars" by Kanaan (2016), and also the article "Unfinished Mourning" by Feyzabadi (2019) In academic research, there are two articles by GhasemiIsfahani and Dadour (2023) titled "The Application of Reception Theory in Analyzing the Concept of War in the Novel Hars" and the article "Psychoanalytic Analysis of the Main Character in the Novel Hars Based on Karen Horney's Theories" by Khadiyapur and colleagues (2022).
In all the academic and non-academic research conducted on the novel "Hars, " the focus has been on describing and analyzing the characters from psychological or literary perspectives.However, none of the studies have addressed the reasons behind Nawal's behavior or how her actions impact the family dynamic and perpetuate its vulnerability from a psychological standpoint.Additionally, the behavioral confrontation between Rasool and its influence on the narrative progression has not been explored.
Theoretical Foundations
Anxiety and stress, as psychological phenomena, are significant factors in the emergence and persistence of many mental disorders and are an inseparable part of human life.Therefore, the way individuals cope with stress plays a crucial role in reducing the formation and duration of stressful events (Chen & Chang, 2011: 10) and is among the most significant factors influencing mental health (Lazarus & Folkman, 1992: 51). Coping strategies for stress are a dynamic process and manifest differently among individuals in the form of coping strategies, adaptive patterns, and defense mechanisms, with their application relating to the individual's personality structure.
Freud introduced three structures in the anatomy of personality: the id, the ego, and the superego.Anxiety is an inevitable result of the interaction between these three personality structures and occurs when the ego is under significant pressure.Anxiety, which is a crucial part of Freud's theory of personality, forms the basis for the emergence of neurotic and psychotic behaviors, manifesting in three forms: realistic anxiety, neurotic anxiety, and moral anxiety.The ego's dependence on the id leads to neurotic anxiety; its dependence on the superego results in moral anxiety; and its reliance on the external world generates realistic anxiety.Thus, defensive behaviors take on an important role by protecting the ego from the pain of anxiety.In addition to the defense mechanisms outlined by Freud, these coping methods also include coping strategies and adaptive patterns (Schultz & Schultz, 2012: 63).
Conclusion
In the present study, a psychological perspective was taken to explore the bitter days of this family, addressing the reasons behind Nawal and Rasool's behaviors and the painful bitterness of their lives through the lens of coping and defense styles.This approach aimed to familiarize readers with the lasting psychological impacts of war, emphasizing the importance of individuals' responses to stressful events and the necessity of training to assist affected individuals in learning coping skills.
In this context, an effort was made to highlight the significant role of coping strategies in portraying Rasool as a person who single-handedly guides his fragmented family toward life, prompting the reader to empathize with and sometimes admire him.Additionally, the paper examined and discussed the negative impact of Nawal's ineffective coping strategies, which contributed to the creation of an endless mourning cycle with the new victims of the concluded war.
Ultimately, what emerges from the psychological analysis of the research is that the novel "Hars" provides a narrative interpretation and explanation for the continuity of the bitter days and years of a war-torn family.It offers a psychological response to the unending war in Nawal's life, her unfamiliar behaviors, her regained tranquility in solitude with the withered palms, and Rasool's return to an unwelcoming home from the village.This article serves as a review of the bitter histories of Nawal, Rasool, and their innocent children, aiming to answer the harsh reality of why sometimes the world ends not with a shout, but with a lament.
Keywords: Haras, War, Defensive Strategies, Adaptive Patterns, and Defensive Mechanisms.
References
AghakhaniBizhani, M and others (2019) Freudian Reading of the “Cold Sooran” Novel.Literary Text Research, 23(80), 84-61.doi: 10.22054/ltr.2017.21793.1861.
Alamimehmandoosti, Z., &Davoodipanah, N.(2015) A Study of Esfandyar`s Defense Mechanisms in His Battle with Rustam.Heroic Literature, 2(4), 71-99.
Chen, P, Y & Chang, H, C, (2011) “The coping process of patients with cancer European”, Journal of Oncology Nursing, 16, 10-16.
Dosti, Zahra, and others (2023) "Investigation of psychological defense mechanisms in the works of SiminDaneshvar based on the novels Sushun, Wandering Island, Sarban Wandering", Journal of Persian Poetry and Prose Stylology (BaharAdab), 16th year, No.92, pp.129-145.
Faizabadi, Razia (2019) MatamNatamam, Lizna.
Ghassemi Esfahani, Nikou, Dadvar, Elmira.(2023) Analysis of the War in "Haras (The Pruning)" According to the Reception Theory.Pazhuhish-iZabanvaAdabiyyat-i Farsi, 68, 127-151.
HajiZeynab and others (2014) Studying the Mechanisms of Psychological Defense in Hanging Bridge Novel.Fiction studies, 3(1), 7-22.
Kanani, Sara (2016) "Looking at the novel Pruning", Iran Book Agency.
Khadivpour, R and others (2022) Psychoanalytical analysis of the main character of the novel called "Haras" according to views of Karen Horney.Literary Text Research, doi: 10.22054/ltr.2022.68594.3579.
Lazarus RS, Folk man S (1992) Stress, appraisal, and coping, New York: Springer, (pp.349-364).
MollaEbrahimi, E., &Hamzeh, R.(2022) An Investigation and Analysis of GhassanKanfani's Novel Rijal fi al-Shams Based on Freud's Theory of Defense Mechanism.Research in Contemporary World Literature, 27(1), 480-502, doi: 10.22059/jor.2020.309360.2042.
Omid Sarwar, Hamidreza (2016) "Headless Palms", Analytical News Society A.
Salehi Mazandarani Mohammadrezaand others (2019) Analysis of Rostam's character in the story of Rostam and Sohrab based on defense mechanisms.Pahlavi literature biannual.(6): 213-242.
Schultz Duanane P & Schultz Sydney Ellen (2005) Theories of Personality.8th ed.
آخوندی، نیلا (1390) روان¬شناسی راهنمایی و مشاوره، تهران، دانشگاه پیام نور.
آزاد، حسین (1384) آسیبشناسی روانی، جلد اول، تهران، بعثت.
آقاخانی بیژنی، محمود و دیگران (1398) «خوانشی فرویدی از رمان سوران سرد»، متن¬پژوهی ادبی (زبان و ادب پارسی)، سال بیست-وسوم، شماره 80، صص 61-84.
امیدی سرور، حمیدرضا (1396) «نخلهای بیسر»، جامعه خبری تحلیلی الف.
https://www.
alef.
ir امیری، مرضیه و دیگران (1391) «اثربخشی رویکرد واقعیت درمانی گروهی بر منبع کنترل و راهبردهای مقابلهای، اندیشه و رفتار»، دوره ششم، شماره 24، صص 59-68.
بنایی، نازی و محمد عسگری (1391) «تأثیر آموزش مهارتهای مقابله با استرس و راهبردهای مقابلهای بر سلامت روان دانشجویان دختر»، فرهنگ مشاوره و روان¬درمانی، سال سوم، شماره 12، صص 127-139.
پاینده، حسین (1381) «بیگانة آشنا: روان¬کاوی و نقد ادبی»، کتاب ماه ادبیات و فلسفه، شماره 59، صص 26-37.
پروین، جان (1381) شخصیت: نظریه و پژوهش، ترجمه جعفر جوادی و پروین کدیور، تهران، آییژ.
ترخان، مرتضی و دیگران (1390) نظریههای مشاوره و روان¬درمانی، تهران، دانشگاه پیام نور.
ترخان، مرتضی و رضا گل¬پور (1396) روان¬شناسی شخصیت، تهران، دانشگاه پیام نور.
حاجی، زینب و دیگران (1393) «بررسی مکانیزمهای دفاعی روان¬شناختی در رمان پل معلق»، مجله مطالعات داستانی، سال سوم، شماره 1، صص 7-22.
خدیوپور، روح¬الله و دیگران (1401) «تحلیل روانکاوانۀ شخصیت اصلی رمان هرس بر اساس آرای کارن هورنای»، متن پژوهی ادبی، قابل بازیابی در: https: //doi.
org/10.
22054/ltr.
2022.
68594.
3579 دوستی، زهرا و دیگران (1402) «بررسی مکانیسم¬های دفاعی روانی در آثار سیمین دانشور با تکیه بر رمان¬های سووشون، جزیره سرگردانی، ساربان سرگردان»، مجله سبک¬شناسی نظم و نثر فارسی (بهار ادب)، سال شانزدهم، شماره 92، صص 129-145.
شولتز، دوان و آلن سیدنی شولتز (1391) نظریههای شخصـیت، ترجمه یحیی سیدمحمدی، تهران، ویرایش.
صالحی مازندرانی، محمدرضا و دیگران (1399) «تحلیل شخصیت رستم در داستان رستم و سهراب بر اساس مکانیسمهای دفاعی»، دوفصلنامه ادبیات پهلوانی، شماره ۶، صص 213-242.
علامی مهماندوستی ذوالفقار و نسیم داوودی¬پناه (1394) «بررسی مکانیسمهای دفاعی اسفندیار در نبرد با رستم»، ادبیات پهلوانی (ادبیات حماسی سابق)، سال دوم، شماره 4.
فتی، لادن و دیگران (1385) آموزش مهارتهای زندگی ویژه دانشجویان: کتاب راهنمای مدرس، تهران، دانژه.
فیست جس و فیست گریگوری جی (1391) نظریههای شخصیت، ترجمه یحیی سیدمحمدی، تهران، روان.
فیضآبادی، راضیه (1399) ماتم ناتمام، لیزنا، https://www.
Lisna.
ir.
قاسمی اصفهانی، نیکو و المیرا دادور (1402) «کاربست نظریه دریافت بر تحلیل مفهوم جنگ در رمان هرس»، فصلنامه علمی پژوهش در زبان و ادبیات فارسی، شماره 68، صص 127-151.
کریمی، محبوبه و حسین افلاکی فرد (1398) «مقایسه کمال¬گرایی مثبت و منفی، اهمال¬کاری تحصیلی و سبکهای مقابله با استرس در دانش¬آموزان متوسطه دوم تیزهوش و عادی شهر مرودشت»، فصلنامه علمی دانش انتظامی فارس، سال ششم، شماره 22، صص 141-160.
کنعانی، سارا (1396) «نگاهی به رمان هرس»، خبرگزاری کتاب ایران.
گلسر، ویلیام (1396) تئوری انتخاب: درآمدی بر روان¬شناسی امید، ترجمه علی صاحبی، چاپ دوازدهم، تهران، سایه سخن.
مرعشی، نسیم (1395) هرس، چاپ بیست و هشتم، تهران، چشمه.
ملاابراهیمی، عزت و ریحانه حمزه (1401) «تحلیل رمان مردان آفتاب از غسان کنفانی بر اساس نظریة مکانیسم دفاعی فروید»، پژوهش ادبیات معاصر جهان، سال بیست¬وهفتم، شماره 1، صص 480-502.
یزدی، سید منور و دیگران (1394) «مقایسه نارساییهای شناختی و شیوههای مقابله با استرس در بیماران مبتلا به اختلال افسردگی اساسی، اختلال اضطراب فراگیر و همبود»، مطالعات روانشناختی، دانشکده علوم تربیتی و روانشناختی دانشگاه الزهرا، دوره یازدهم، شماره 3، صص 7-30.
Billings A & Moos R, (1985) “Life stressors and social resources affect posttreatment outcomes among depressed patients”, J Abnorm Psychol; 94, 140–53.
Bond FW & Dryden W (2004) Handbook of brief cognitive behavior Therapy, Jhon Wiley and sons Ltd, The Atrium, soutbern Gate, chichester, west Sussex 19 8SQ, England. Campbel-sills, L, Cohana, S, L, & Murray, B.S, (2006) “Relation ship of resilience to personality, Coping, and Psychiatric Symptoms in young adults”, Behavior Research and Therapy, 44, 585-599.
Carver, C.S, pozo, C, Harris, S.D, Noriega, S, Schemer, M, Robinson, D.S, Ketchum, A, S, (1993) “How coping mediates the effect of optimism and distress: A study of women with early stage breast cancer”, Journal of personality and social psychology.65: 375-390.
Chen, P, Y & Chang, H, C, (2011) “The coping process of patients with cancer European”, Journal of Oncology Nursing, 16, 10-16.
Dunkley DM, Zuroff DC, Blankstein, (2008) “Self-Critical Perfectionism and Daily Affect: Dispositional and Situational Influences on Stress and Coping”, Person Soc Psychol; 84: 234-52.
Endler, N, S, & Parker, J, D.A, (1990) “Multidimensional assessment of coping: A critical evaluation”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58 (5), 844-854.
Folkman, S, & Moskowitz, J, T, (2004) Coping: Pitfalls and promise, Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 745-768. Gross, J.J, & John, O.P, (2003) “Individual Difference in two Emotion Regulation Processes Implication for Affect, Relationships, and well-being”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85, 348-362. Hobfoll SE, Schwarzer R, Chon KK (1998) Disentangling the stress labyrinth interpreting the meaning of the term stress and it is studied in health context, Anx, Stress.Cop; 11 (3): 181-212.
Kronenberg LM, Goossens PJJ, van Busschbach J, van Achterberg T, van den Brink, W ( 2015) “Coping styles in substance use disorder (SUD) patients with and without co-occurring Attention Defcit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD)”, BMC Psychiatr, 15 (1) doi: 10.1186/s12888-015-0530-x.159.
Lazarus RS, Folk man S (1992) Stress, appraisal, and coping, New York: Springer, (pp.349-364).
Marquez-Arrico JE, Benaiges I, Adan A (2019) “ Strategies to cope with treatment in substance use disorder male patients with and without schizophrenia”, Journal of Clinical Medicine, doi: 10.3390/jcm8111972, www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm.
Masoudnia E (2008) “Illness perception and coping strategies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis disease”, J Psychol, 12: 136-153, [Persian].
McLeod, S (2023) “Defense mechanisms in psychology”, https: //www.simplychologh.org/defense-mechanisms.html.
Morton Ann Gernsbacher (1995) “The mechanisms of suppression and enhancement in comprehension”, Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne. 36 (1): 49-50, DOI: 10.1037/h0084720.
Pearlin LI, Schooler C (1987) “The structure of coping”, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19: 2-21.