Analysis of contrast in the uncertainty of meanings in postmodern sonnets: A case study of the lyric "What is the story of me and the denial of wine?” by Hafiz

Postmodern poetry or lyric is one of the contemporary poetic styles in which the poet uses various literary and rhetorical techniques to express his meanings poetically. It abounds in contradictions, and the audience faces multiple meanings and wanders in a world of contrasts. Since contrasts form the basis of the human mental structure, examining them can help to better understand literary works. The study of contrasts and their deconstruction is somehow related to the postmodern style of poetry and sonnet. In other words, contrasts introduce different meanings in the poem. The present descriptive-analytical research seeks to find out what tricks these contrasts play in sonnets and how they lead to semantic and, consequently, the uncertainty of meaning. It is concluded that contradiction, ambiguity and humor are among the consequential functions of contrast. Also, all of these cases alone or when overlapped push Hafez's sonnets close to postmodernism.