Journal of Women Interdisciplinary Researches

Abstract Surrealist literature, as one of the influential movements of the twentieth century, represents an endeavor to penetrate the layers of the unconscious and reveal the hidden logic of the human mind. By merging dream and reality, this school blurs the boundary between the mind and the external world, creating a space where lived experience, imagination, and memory intermingle. In such a context, the concept of space transcends its physical limits and transforms into a manifestation of psychology, gender, and human inner life. This approach provides, not only in literature but also in other arts including architecture, a framework for rethinking spatial experience. The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat, as a prominent example of surrealist literature in Iran, creates mysterious and mental spaces that enable the analysis of concepts such as time, perception, and gender. In this work, the representation of women plays a central role in shaping psychological and unconscious spaces and symbolically organizes the spatial structure of the narrative. This study, adopting an interdisciplinary approach and employing qualitative semiotic analysis, investigates the mental spaces and the representation of women in The Blind Owl and explores the reflection of its surrealist concepts in the language of architecture. Through the analysis of the text’s visual and symbolic layers, spatial patterns resulting from the fusion of reality and dream are extracted and translated into spatial design concepts. The findings indicate that the application of surrealist concepts in the design process can facilitate the creation of multi-layered, introspective, and experience-centered spaces in contemporary architecture—spaces that are not merely functional but reflect the human mind and psyche.

Abstract This study examines a ceramic vessel depicting the story of Bijan and Manizheh, dating back to the 6th century AH and originating from the city of Rey. The primary aim of this research is to analyze the representation of Manizheh’s character in this visual artwork and compare it with her portrayal in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. The central research question is as follows:How is Manizheh’s role represented in the text of the Shahnameh and in the ceramic images from the Freer Gallery Collection in Washington, and what are the differences in interpretation of this character across these two media?In terms of purpose, the research is applied, and in terms of nature, it follows a descriptive and visual-analytical method. Data collection was conducted through library research, consultation of credible domestic and online sources, and examination of ceramic vessels featuring Bijan and Manizheh found in the Freer Gallery Collection.The findings indicate that the ceramic artist has preserved symbolic elements while generally remaining faithful to the narrative, portraying Manizheh as a loyal, loving, and patient figure. However, her heroic and proactive dimensions, as emphasized in the Shahnameh, are less visible. Ferdowsi depicts Manizheh as a courageous woman with an active role in saving Bijan, symbolizing unwavering love and devotion.Ultimately, while the ceramic artwork retains the epic tone of the story through the inclusion of Rostam’s heroism and other epic elements, it places greater emphasis on the emotional and symbolic aspects of Manizheh’s character. The study reveals differences in the interpretation and representation of Manizheh between text and image, yet both media complement each other in preserving Iran’s cultural heritage and national narratives. One of the key outcomes of this research is highlighting the importance of the unity between visual and literary arts in maintaining and transmitting national stories. It demonstrates the special role of ceramics in promoting and reinterpreting ancient Iranian tales.

Abstract The declining tendency toward childbearing in recent decades has raised concerns among scholars in various fields across Iran. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and attitudes of employed women in South Tehran toward childbearing. Conducted using a qualitative method and a phenomenological approach, the research gathered data through in-depth interviews.The findings indicate that employed women’s attitudes toward childbearing have undergone significant changes due to recent social, cultural, and economic transformations. Participants no longer view childbearing as a traditional necessity, but rather as a decision dependent on personal, economic, professional, and lifestyle factors. Many cited concerns such as the inability to afford child-rearing expenses, difficulties in balancing motherhood with professional roles, and anxiety about their children’s future as key reasons for their reduced willingness to have children.Overall, the results suggest that the new understanding of motherhood and fertility among employed women has led them toward more conscious decision-making and, in some cases, avoidance of childbearing altogether. This shift in perspective may be considered one of the contributing factors to declining fertility rates in urban areas, particularly among working women.

Abstract This brief report, from a social psychology perspective, explores the impact of creative participation by school-aged girls in the production of dramatic literature based on Khayyam-khani (recitation of Khayyam’s quatrains), with the aim of enhancing self-esteem and reinforcing bonds with cultural-religious identity during childhood. The study employed a quantitative method using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The statistical population included 50 girls aged 8 to 10 from Shahid Sharif Ashraf Elementary School in Shiraz, who actively participated in various stages of creating, performing, and staging Khayyam-based plays. The program, rooted in the quatrains of Omar Khayyam as symbols of Iranian-Islamic wisdom, provided a platform for purposeful social interaction, lived artistic experience, and the reconstruction of cultural identity. Data analysis through comparison of pre-test and post-test scores indicated a significant improvement in self-esteem indicators. The findings suggest that engagement in theatrical activities based on classical texts can serve as a cultural-psychological intervention to enhance core components of positive self-concept, self-efficacy, and sense of worth in children. Furthermore, the results indicate that integrating performing arts with authentic Iranian-Islamic content not only promotes children's mental well-being but also serves as a key factor in preserving the cultural identity of the new generation. Accordingly, it is recommended that modern educational approaches harness the potential of classical literature and creative drama to foster students' psychological resilience and cultural cohesion.