Analysis of Contrastive Macro-Symbols in Mathnavi and Ghazaliat of Shams: The Case Study of Lion and Sun Macro- Symbols

Structuralists define the logic of human mind and language based on a bipolar structure; between the two sides of which there is a contrastive relationship. Subscribing to the central idea that there is a close relationship between the text generalities and its elements, structuralist critics seek the micro-contrasts of the texts in order to reach the macro-contrasts and interpret the implicit meanings or connotation of a work. In this study, the contrasts of Mathnavi and Ghazaliat of Shams are investigated and analyzed. The research methodology is based on four steps: first, delimiting the semantic field of the contrasts by considering macro-symbols in Mathnavi and Ghazaliat of Shams; second, extracting the contrasts made by Lion and Sun meta-contrasts; third, understanding the mutual relation of the contrasts; and fourth, analyzing the meaning and method of expression of the identified contrasts. The research findings indicate that in many cases natural and reasonable relations of contrasts in Mathnavi and Ghazaliat of Shams are common. Breaking away from the norms in contrastive relations is sometimes more in Mathnavi, and sometimes more in Ghazaliat of Shams. Besides, firstly, frequency and variety of departure from the norms in the contrasts of Ghazaliat are more outstanding; secondly, in some cases, conformity to the norms and departure from them are similar and common in the contrastive relation of binaries in Mathnavi and Ghazaliat; and thirdly, in a few cases, contrasts have been processed only in one of the texts.