The Function of Rhetorical Questions in Qeysar Aminpour’s Poetry

جستارهای نوین ادبی

Article 4, Volume 46, Issue 2 - Serial Number 181, September 2013, Pages 121-144   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jls.v46i2.27623

Authors

Fateme Moghimi^* ; Mahdi Nikmanesh

Abstract

One of the important subjects in rhetoric is the study of secondary meanings in sentences. Questions are sentences which demonstrate neither facts nor lies. Rhetorical questions often need no answers but attempt to show some rhetorical functions such as surprise, denial, regret, desire, etc. In this article, first, the structure and the frequency of questions in Qeysar Aminpour’s poetry volumes The Morning Breath, Unexpected Reflections, In Sunshine Alley, and The Grammar of Love are studied; then, these questions are classified based on their meanings and examples for each group are mentioned and their rhetorical functions are illustrated through statistical tables and frequency charts. The study reveals that the frequency of questions in In Sunshine Alley and The Grammar of Love rises. It also demonstrates the high frequency of two rhetorical meanings, “complaint” and “blame,” in Aminpour’s poetry. The number of questions here can indicate the number of questions the poet confronted while forming his identity and ideology; they might also signify the poet’s endeavor to leave more impression through rhetorical questions! Furthermore, the high frequency of “complaint” and “blame” can reveal the poet’s emotional dissatisfaction with the surrounding world and show his desire for a change and for an ideal world.

Keywords

rhetorical questions; Rhetoric; Qeysar Aminpour; secondary meanings