
Mirror of Dew
The Poetry of Alam-taj Zhale Qa'em-Maqami
Ilex Foundation (Publisher)
Published on 7. July 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-674-42824-9 (ISBN)
Description
Mirror of Dew introduces one of Iran's outstanding female poets, whose work has not previously been available in English. Zhale Qa'em-Maqami (1883-1946) was a witness to pivotal social and political developments in Iran during its transition to modernity. Persian poetry at that time was often used polemically and didactically, for a mass audience, but Zhale did not write to be published. The poems, like the mirror, samovar, and other familiar objects we find in them, appear to be the author's intimate companions.
Her poetry is deeply personal but includes social critique and offers a rare window into the impact of a modern awareness on private lives. Zhale is biting in her condemnation of traditional Persian culture, and even of aspects of Islamic law and custom. She might be called the Emily Dickinson of Persian poetry, although Zhale was married, against her will. Zhale is far from the first female poet in Persian literature but is the first we know of to write with an interior, intimate voice about private life, her anxieties, her frustrated love, her feelings about her husband, and many topical issues. This volume presents the Persian text of Zhale's poems on pages facing the English translations.
Her poetry is deeply personal but includes social critique and offers a rare window into the impact of a modern awareness on private lives. Zhale is biting in her condemnation of traditional Persian culture, and even of aspects of Islamic law and custom. She might be called the Emily Dickinson of Persian poetry, although Zhale was married, against her will. Zhale is far from the first female poet in Persian literature but is the first we know of to write with an interior, intimate voice about private life, her anxieties, her frustrated love, her feelings about her husband, and many topical issues. This volume presents the Persian text of Zhale's poems on pages facing the English translations.
Reviews / Votes
Mirror of Dew is a fascinating collection that demonstrates just how lively a discussion was underway among elite Qajar women about the 'women's question'. These fascinating poems display feminist concerns in a way that we do not find in the poems of Parvin E'teskami, and thought we did not find until Forugh Farrokhzad. An important work for anyone interested in the history of Qajar women. -- Franklin Lewis, University of Chicago This book introduces a remarkable poet who is virtually unknown to all but specialists. The scholarly introduction along with the lyrical and sensitive translations fill serious gaps in our knowledge regarding the participation of women in the literary culture of modern Iran. -- Sunil Sharma, Boston UniversityMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United States
Publishing group
Harvard University, Center for Hellenic Studies
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
349 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-674-42824-9 (9780674428249)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Asghar Seyed-Gohrab is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Middle Eastern Studies at Leiden University.
Translated with commentary