Theoretical Sources of Literary Criticism of Afghanistan

جستارهای نوین ادبی

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 14 May 2025

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jls.2025.90140.1630

Authors

Noor Mohammad Noornia¹; ahmad razi^{* 2}; alireza nikouei³

¹Persian language and literature department, Literature and Humanities faculty, University of Guilan

²Persian language and literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Gilan

³Persian language and literature department, Literature and Humanities faculty, University of Guilan.

Abstract

This research examines the state of contemporary literary criticism in Afghanistan with the aim of identifying and introducing its theoretical sources over the past century. Using a descriptive-analytical method and historical approach, this study shows that literary criticism in Afghanistan has been poor in theoretical support, and most practical critiques reveal inconsistencies in text analysis with the principles of contemporary literary criticism. Theoretical sources of literary criticism have been acquired through oral and written channels, with literary associations and universities playing a significant role in translating and writing papeers and books. The influence of Russian, Western, and Iranian theorists on Afghan literary criticism is evident, but there are challenges in understanding, introducing, and applying these theories. The research results indicate that most literary critiques in Afghanistan have been written with a traditional approach. This study emphasizes the importance of having theoretical infrastructure in advancing literary criticism and provides an introduction to the most important critics and impactful critiques. It also examines the role of universities, associations, and the press in this process, showing that critical discourse in the country has not yet flowed. This research can demonstrate the position of critical discourse in Afghanistan and, by introducing the most important literary critics and the most influential critiques, depict the state of literary criticism in Afghanistan.

Keywords

Literary Criticism; Literary Theories; Afghanistan; Critical Discourse; Literary Critics