The Influence of Structural Expansion of a Sentence on the Nature of Meaning in Meibodi's Sufic Prose

The deep impression of Sufic prose of Meibodi is partly due to his structural innovations. This study examined compound sentences to indicate the influence of syntactic innovations and structural flexibility on meaning. The significance lies in understanding several capacities of Persian language for expressing elusive ideas. The data was gathered by systematic sampling from Kashf-ol-Asrar in order to explore the influence of structural expansion of compound sentences on their meaning. A few types of structural connection and meaning formation in compound sentences can be identified in Meibodi's prose. First, linear connection between the structure and meaning of independent coordinate sentences. Second, the connection between the structure and meaning of compound subordinate sentences. Third, cluster sentences which are a combination of coordinate and subordinate compound sentences. The evidence showed that, often, an independent sentence appears at the beginning of the utterance and some part of the meaning of previous sentences is included in the subsequent sentences in different ways, and also each sentence becomes a part of the meaning of next sentences, although they enjoy structural and semantic independence. The final meaning of the utterance is constituted in such a process of semantic interaction. Consequently, the rhetorical fruit of using such innovative compound sentences is semantic deepening and suspension, besides the aesthetic function. Thus, it can be argued that Meibodi, in addition to lucid expression of complex ideas, gives the reader a deep and lasting impression.