An Analytical Survey of Presence or Absence of Criticism and Literary Theory in Classical Persian Literature

The debate over whether Persian literature - despite its diversity and variety of subject matters - enjoys a symphonic literary system and “en bloc” critical principles, or it is merely based on discordant views and disorganized “chimerical” preferences is a significant issue of our time not yet been appropriately dealt with. Since believing in either side of presence or absence of criticism and literary theory in Classical Persian Literature may lead into certain consequences, it could not be easily resolved or determined. This paper tends to scrutinize the issue based on logic, literary evidences and views of great theoreticians to present a precise picture of the case and then to establish one side of the debate for the readers and truth seekers.