Imam Khomeini International University
Abstract: (65 Views)
The aesthetics reception theory is among the most remarkable post-structuralism theories introducing novel concepts into modern literary criticism, emphasizing the importance of the reader/audience’s role in literary criticism. One such concept is the implied reader proposed by Iser. The present study develop the concept using a descriptive research methodology, incorporates features of mystical text into it, and examines it in Masnavi Manavi. As a result, a novel theory was proposed in the mystical language titled the “Mystical Implied reader”. This theory revises the traditional role of the reader in mystical literature and creates new spaces for this type of literature. The theory sheds light on mystical language shortcomings, explains the role of the text in uncovering the likely mystical meaning, and elucidates the reader’s preparedness to participate in the creation of mystical notions. The study compares the characteristics of the mystical implied reader with former theories concerning mystical language and defines mystical symbols using textual gaps in the investigation of Masnavi’s text. Thus, it was concluded that the reader is involved in constructing the meaning of Masnavi’s tales based on the capacity of their mystical spirits. The mystical implied reader is considered a characteristic of Masnavi’s text by Rumi based on the background elements of a text and gaps in it, as well as the strategies pursued by Masnavi’s text. Thus, each reader involved in reading Masnavi’s verses sees no other alternative than following the implied reader to grasp the concept. The difference between the implied reader defined in the reception theory and the mystical implied reader in Masnavi is that Masnavi’s text includes elements seeking to fulfill a mystical meaning. Thus, the reader is involved in constructing the meaning of Masnavi according to the capacity of their mystical spirits. Moreover, the mystical symbols in Masnavi play a remarkable role in making the reader feel present in the text to fill in the gaps and fulfill its mystical meaning.
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