The Rhetorical Function of Preposing and Postposing the Subject and Verb in the Poetry of Mehdi Akhavan-Sales

Preposing and postposing of sentence elements are rhetorical devices that elevate speech beyond mere information delivery. These techniques deepen the complexity of meaning by adding implicit connotations and enhancing textual depth. Additionally, readers, based on their literary and analytical competence, engage with the structure and meaning in various contexts, thereby actualizing certain interpretations or expanding the semantic potential of the text. One prominent feature of Mehdi Akhavan Sales’ poetry is its syntactic distinctiveness, characterized by occasionally long sentences composed of various adverbs, adjectives, and rearranged syntactic elements. This manipulation of word order, particularly the preposing and postposing of key sentence components, generates diverse implicit meanings.

This descriptive-analytical study aims to explore the function of preposing and postposing of the subject and verb in Akhavan Sales’ poetry. The objective is to demonstrate the latent capacities within his poetic structure and to analyze and classify his poems accordingly. The findings reveal that by preposing and postposing the subject, meanings such as suspense regarding the subject, atmospheric enhancement, emotional resonance, creation of contrasts, evocation of fear, situational imagery, enigma, humor, and similar nuances emerge. Similarly, rearranging the verb contributes to expanding imagery, establishing contrast, setting the tone for epic expression, and enhancing declamatory style.

These stylistic techniques not only enrich the musicality and coherence of Akhavan Sales’ poetry but also reflect its inherent complexity, compelling readers to reflect more deeply and experience artistic delight.