The Analysis of Characters and Mythological Concepts in Symphony of the Dead

One of the components in Persian novels is the use of mythological-archetypal elements and themes. In the present article, by using a descriptive-analytical method, an attempt has been made to study the mythological components in Symphony of the Dead of Abbas Maroufi. The author has deliberately used myths which indicates his awareness of the myths and symbols of Iran and the world, and religious, national and ethnic culture. The main theme of the novel is murder and fratricide, and is nurtured by the myth of Abel and Cain, but Maroufi has used various myths that can be divided into three categories: the myths of Shahnameh (Siyāvash, Iraj, Bijan and Manijeh etc.), mythical animals (phoenix, crow, wolf, butterfly, fish) and mythological concepts (creation, dualism, catharsis, mandala, plant animism, etc.). These concepts cover a very wide range of topics, so in the present article, only the concepts that have been less addressed in other studies are considered.