The repentance of Nasuh: The traditional or modern story?

Abstract

Molana narrates the story of Nasuh repentance in his book five of Masnavi -e- Manavi that it can be considered as modern short story. Thereby, Molana’s narrative or tale can be accepted as modern short story based on modern short story definition. According to short story researchers’ opinion, Somerset Maugham and Poe are fathers of short story and short story dates back one hundred years ago. In Persian literature, short story in verse and prose form dates back to more than one thousand years. One of the goals of this article is to emphasis on the record and background of short story in Persian literature. Translation of short stories into other languages provides context for familiarity with them and new scope for researchers of this literary genre and uncovers capacity of these stories in transferring of teachings, culture, traditions, folklore and etc. In order to study this subject matter at first, story is defined with its characteristics and the difference between short story and story is identified. Then, the story structural elements and plot structural elements are analyzed in repentance of Nasuh in order to emphasize on the position of Molana in storytelling. Tales and narratives of Manavi-e- Manvi can be considered as a modern story.