Allegorical Semiotics of ‘the Parrot and the Merchant’ of Masnavi ‎ Based on the Theory of Michael Rifater

In his critique of modern semiotics, Michael Riffaterre seeks to achieve a new reading of poetry by explaining the nature and function of poetic language in literary texts and by relying on the linguistic ability of the readers. The allegory of ‘the parrot and the merchant’ of Masnavi is a suitable context for adapting to the processes of the mentioned theory due to its special capacity and dialectical structure. The present study investigates in a descriptive-analytical way the origin of ‘recommending voluntary death with the help of getting rid of the pests of fame’ in the mentioned allegory and how it is developed through the processes proposed by Rifater’s theory. By examining these components, it is possible to understand that in the process of ‘accumulation’, in the second chain, the concept of ‘death’ which is the main building block of the subject was used to make the story more real. In descriptive systems, the macro-system ‘parrot’ is at the top of two other micro-systems due to having more constellations, which confirms that the anecdote revolves around the soul and related issues. In the process of ‘expansion’, due to the constant attention to typology and interest in the psychology of characters, by adding free themes and unnecessary actions, the concepts of annihilation and survival have become more believable.