An Analysis of Independent Images in Shamlu's Poetry

This study aims to analyze the image-making process by focusing on the role of imagination. Maintaining the subjective nature of the image, we consider a structure for it, under titles such as the central image, the image tool, the image expression and function, and mental image of the text. Then, different kinds of images are presented in terms of surface and depth, statics, dynamism, painting, cinematic, openness, wideness, limited and close up, and independence. Overall, an image is called “independent” when its elements have an exclusive nature and independent properties in such a way that they can function apart from the poetry. It can be said that the formation and application of independent images in Shamlu’s poetry were influenced by the ruling literary expression, and language and discourse flows and orientation of the time. The research method in the present study is descriptive-analytical methodology. The sample texts include Shamlu’s one hundred poems. The main criteria for the section of the sample were that they should be brief and have imagery. The results show that the aforementioned factors had a significant effect on the independence of the images. Allusive and figurative expressions served as the main literary expression in Shamlu’s poetry. Language flows and its effects on independent images indicates Shamlu’s social status as a social poet; and social-political discourse had dominant roles in the formation of independent images of Shamlu’s poems.