Rhetorical Analysis of the Masnavi of Protest "Swamps and Waters" by Seyyed Hasan Hosseini

Literary works are evaluated and analyzed from different points of view. Rhetorical criticism is one of the methods of literary criticism in which we evaluate the text from the perspective of the function of rhetorical devices and images. This article deals with the rhetorical review and criticism of the Masnavi of protest "Swamps and Waters Poem" by Seyyed Hasan Hosseini. In this poem, the poet objects to the social situation and spiritual changes in the society after the war. The aim of the article is to analyze the mentioned text from the point of view of the influence of rhetorical elements to clarify how the poet has used these devices to achieve his goal and convey the message. In this research, 77 couplets of this poem are examined based on its figures of thought and figures of meaning. The result of the research shows that the poet expresses concern about social problems with figurative language. By observing abnormal approaches that have an unfavorable reflection on the individual and the society, he changes the way of language an speaks out. As a poet of engagement, Hosseini views rhetorical arts not only as a means of creating aesthetic effects, but also as a way to expose social problems, and express feelings of happiness and longing. With the help of language facilities, he intends to provide a favorable context for the reconstruction of Islamic and social values.