The Functioning of the Existentialist Theme of "Freedom" in the Conceptual Metaphors of the Farsi Book of the Eleventh High School

Existentialism is a school of thought that deals with the concerns of being and being in the universe. One of the first and basic components that this horizon of thinking tries to explain is freedom. Scholars of this thoughtful approach consider human freedom and responsibility in their living world as the first and most important function of man in his world outside and inside. Since the theme of human thinking about one's world is metaphorical, conceptual metaphors are one of the most important tools and means that can accommodate the existential component of freedom. The present study based on the position of freedom in the thought of existentialism and with a descriptive and analytical method, considering the importance of the role and effect of textbooks in the mentality and thought of students, examines the function of the existentialist theme of freedom in the conceptual metaphors of the eleventh-grade Persian textbook. Based on the study of this research, in the various texts of the 11th Farsi textbook, the three basic conceptual metaphors of "freedom is a struggle", "God is the king of tyranny" and "freedom is responsibility" are revealed among the metaphorical layers. Based on the findings of the present article, the authors of the Farsi book and the educators in teaching the textbooks of this book should pay special attention to the themes of the textbook that underestimate or emphasize the aspect of human freedom and responsibility. Awareness, critique, and dialogue of authors, educators, and students on these aspects is a way to cultivate a creative mindset and as a result, live and flourish consciously and being.