Feasibility of Contemporary Poetry Analysis Based on Gaston Bachelard's theory of spatial poetics [Case study: Analysis of Mustafa Jamaluddin's poems]

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Elham Baboli Bahmeh ¹
• Seyyed Mohammad Razi Mostafavinia ²

¹ Ph.D in Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Foreign languages, Kashan ‎‎University, Iran, Kashan

² Associate Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22067/jallv16.i2.2402-1386

Abstract

Adopting a poetic approach as a theoretical framework for analyzing and reinterpreting poetry can significantly enhance our understanding of the epistemological dimensions within a poet's work. The application of Gaston Bachelard's The Poetics of Space (1962), which examines lived spaces through a phenomenological lens, offers particularly valuable insights. This study employs Bachelard's framework to analyze Diwan Mustafa Jamal al-Din (1996) as a case study. The research presents a comprehensive overview of Bachelard's The Poetics of Space, focusing on spatial phenomena and their manifestations in selected poetic samples. Utilizing a qualitative approach and descriptive methodology, the study treats Bachelard's key concepts—including place, space, spatial exploration, and topophilia (place-friendliness)—as practical analytical tools rather than merely theoretical constructs. Special attention is given to space, home, and their imaginative representations as crucial elements in examining poetic imagery. Key findings reveal that spatial awareness in Jamal al-Din's poetry plays a vital role in uncovering the poet's psychological landscape. His treatment of space carries existential, sensory, and emotional dimensions, effectively constituting a poetic representation of dwelling. Furthermore, space emerges as both a sanctuary for imagination and a mental refuge, reflecting the poet's engagement with the world. The spatial element maintains profound connections with his imaginative universe.More broadly, space in Jamal al-Din's poetry functions as an ontological concept that mediates between microcosmic and macrocosmic perspectives. The study also demonstrates the successful application of Bachelard's framework, particularly through the concept of topophilia, while highlighting the interpretive power of this phenomenological approach in literary analysis.

Keywords

• Gaston Bachelard
• Mustafa Jamaluddin
• Phenomenology
• the poetics of space
• Imagination

Main Subjects

• Semantics

References

Al-Karsavi, A. (2018). An Introduction to the theory of knowledge, 1^st volume, Riyadh: Development Center for Studies and Research. [In Arabic]

 

Journal of Arabic Language & Literature, Vol. 16, No.2 Serial Number.37                        page: 2

Aristotle. (2021). Aristotle Poetics. Translated by Saeed Artman, 2^nd edition. Tehran: Cheshme. [In Persian]

Bachelard, G. (1980). The aesthetics of the place. Translated by Ghalib Halsa, Baghdad: Al-Dar al-Wataniyya. [In Arabic]

-----------. (2011). space Poetics. Translated by Maryam Kamali and Mohammad Shirbache, Tehran: Roshangran and Women's Studies Publications. [In Persian]

 -----------. (2019). candle flame. Translated by Jalal Sattari, 1^st edition, Tehran: Toos. [In Persian]

Belhachmi, A. (2016). “Place in Modern Algerian Poetry from 1950 to 2010.” PhD thesis, Department of Arabic Language and Literature: University of Tlemcen, Algeria.

Egenter, N. (2005). Anthropological concept of space: Otto Friedrich Bollnow's theory about the anthropological concept of space. Translated by Mona Kaabian, Bagh Nazar Journal, 2(4), 25-42. [In Persian]

Hassan, Sh. (1999). Braunschweig and Bachelard between philosophy and science, a critical study, 2^nd volume, Beirut: Dar al-Tanvir. [In Arabic]

Hojjat, I., Muzafar, F., Saadati, P. (2016). Explaining the influential characteristics of the house in the formation of human attachment to it (presenting a causal process model), Fine Arts-Architecture and Urban Development Journal, 22(2), 50-63, Doi: 10.22059/jfaup.2017.63994. [In Persian]

Iqbali, A. (2008). Auditory images in Ma'alqat Saba, Journal of Arabic Language and Literature, 1(1), 25-40, Doi: 10.22067/jall.v1i1.3008. [In Arabic]

Jamaluddin, M. (1995). Diwan Mustafa Jamaluddin, 1^st volume, Beirut: Dar al-Muwarrikh al-Arabi. [In Arabic]

Jamaluddin, M. (1997). Seyyed Al – Nakhil Al – Moghafa, 1^st volume, No Publication. [In Arabic]

Norberg Schultz, C. (2003). A choice of architecture: Meaning and place. Translated by Vida Norouz Barazjani, Tehran: Jan Jahan. [In Persian]

Partuvi, P. (2012). Phenomenology of place, 2^nd edition, Tehran: Farhangistan Honar. [In Persian]

Pirani Shal, A., Izadi, Z. (2023). Phenomenological reading of the ode of Nazik al – Mala^,ika based on Husserl^,s theory(A case study of the ode of Shajarat al – Qamar), Journal of Arabic Language and Literature, 4 (15), 1-19, DOI: 10.22067/jallv15.i4.2308-1307. [In Persian]

Safavi, K. (2019). Linguistics and literature. Translated by a body of authors, 5^th edition, Tehran: Hermes. [In Persian]

Sattari, J. (1352). Gaston Bachelard's theory about the essence of imagination in literature, Rudaki magazine, 20, 71-88. [In Persian]

Shar, A. (2014). Heidegger's hut. Translated by Iraj Kouni, Tehran: Salith. [In Persian]

Vaghidi, M. (1980). Gaston Bachelads philosophy of Knowledge, 1^st volume, Beyrouth: Arabian Printing and Publishing House. [In Arabic]