Political Rhetoric in Literary Texts: A Case Study of Akhavan-Sales's Poetry

Document Type : Rhetoric

Authors

1 Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.

2 PhD student in Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22091/jls.2026.14201.1744

Abstract

A systematic study of political rhetoric in literary texts requires clear conceptualization and a coherent theoretical framework. Drawing on Kenneth Burke’s rhetorical theory, this study proposes a structured approach to analyzing political rhetoric in literary texts. Kenneth Burke, a key figure in rhetorical studies throughout the 20th century, introduced several fundamental concepts in his theory of rhetoric, notably the four essential elements of division, identification, hierarchy, and the dramatic form of the pentad. These concepts have proven especially useful in analyzing political rhetoric, where language plays a pivotal role in shaping ideologies and influencing public opinion .This study aims to examine selected poems by the Iranian poet Mehdi Akhavan-Sales, with the goal of exploring the manifestations of political rhetoric in literary works. The qualitative method of analysis employed in the research focuses on how Burke’s rhetorical elements function within Akhavan-Sales’ poetry. The findings demonstrate that the poet’s use of descriptive language enhances the potential for identification among readers, and underlying political messages present in the poems. Moreover, the dialogic structure of the poems provides a dynamic space for communicating key concepts such as division and hierarchy. Furthermore, the dramatic structure of the poems, which emphasizes Burke’s five components of the pentad -act, scene, agent, agency, purpose- plays a serious role in delivering a distinct political message. Each of these elements contributes uniquely to reinforcing the political discourse of the poem for the audience.
Introduction
Rhetoric, in its contemporary conception, can be defined as the strategic utilization of communication to elicit persuasion or achieve delineated objectives within a specific audience context. Kenneth Burke emphasizes that all human interaction unfolds within a network of symbols, terminology, classifications, and metaphors; consequently, language perpetually shapes perception, structures experience, and fosters either identification or deviance. Therefore, rhetorical analysis, framed within Burke’s symbolic perspective, involves examining the mechanisms through which language constructs and reproduces values, identities, and social relationships. Political rhetoric, a subfield of the discourse - semiotic approach to rhetoric and the application of symbols, possesses the capacity for study through Burke’s theoretical framework. This branch of rhetoric, particularly within literary analysis, necessitates an examination of its unique potential and components, as it significantly influences the transformation of literary texts into tools for social critique, the articulation of political viewpoints, and persuasion audiences to pursue particular goals. This research, employing Burke’s theoretical approach in rhetoric sought to address the lack of structural organization and theoretical frameworks within existing research on political rhetoric in literary texts.
Materials & Methods
Kenneth Burke’s theoretical framework in rhetoric are elaborated in his works Rhetoric of Motives and Grammar of Motives, in the last half of twentieth century, are applicable to the subfield of political rhetoric. This research, after outlining the principles of Burke’s approach and its application to political rhetoric, undertakes a qualitative analysis of selected poems by Mehdi Akhavan-Sales, a prominent figure in contemporary Persian literature, chosen for their political content and alignment with Burke’s theory, as a case study.
Research findings
The theories of scholars and researchers such as Kenneth Burke can provide frameworks for rhetorical analyzing of literary texts and serve as a valuable tool for researchers in this field. Burke defines the components and principles of influence on the audience within rhetoric through four categories: Division, Identification, Hierarchy, and the Dramatic form of Pentad. Division is achieved through the creation of binary oppositions, Identification through fostering a sense of solidarity and empathy, Hierarchy through the organization of power structures, and dramatic form through a dramatic structure. Each of these elements contributes to the text’s potential for influencing the audience. Applying these components to the realm of political rhetoric in literary texts allows for the development of a structured approach to analyzing literary texts from this perspective.
Discussion of Results & Conclusion
This analysis investigates the political rhetoric employed in a selection of poems by Akhavan-Sales, demonstrating how specific stylistic choices contribute to both reader identification and the conveyance of underlying political messages. The study posits that Akhavan-Sales strategically utilizes descriptive language to foster a sense of connection with the audience, thereby amplifying the impact of the poems' political content. Furthermore, the poems’ dialogic structure creates a dynamic platform for exploring complex concepts such as social division and hierarchical power structures. Drawing upon Burke’s Pentad model—consisting of act, scene, agent, agency, and purpose—this research highlights the significant role of dramatic structure in the articulation and delivery of distinct political narratives within the poems. Each of these elements—descriptive language, dialogic construction, and dramatic structure—functions synergistically to reinforce the overarching political discourse intended for the audience. Ultimately, this research confirms the application of Burke's rhetorical framework for the analysis of political rhetoric within literary texts.
 

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References

منابع

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Rhetoric and Grammar Studies
Volume 15, Issue 28
January 2025
Pages 162-181

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