Contemporary Persian Literature

Contemporary Persian Literature

Psychological analysis of the main character of the novel Prince of Ehtejab based on Henry Murray's theory of needs

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Hamideh Saidi 1
firooz esmaeelzadeh 2
1 Teaching Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Shahid Sadrzadeh, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch
2 Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Persian Language and Literature Department
10.30465/copl.2025.48372.4129
Abstract
Abstract
The element of "character" is one of the main pillars of fictional literature and is considered its fundamental element. On this basis, multiple manifestations of personality form the foundation of psychological criticism. Personality theories in psychology are explained and developed with two categories of needs and motivations. In general, according to these theories, human personality is a reflection of controlled behaviors. behaviors that originate from needs and motivations. In the meantime, Murray's theory of artistic personality has a special application in psychological analysis; In such a way that one of the psychological components in literary texts is the list of needs formulated by Henry Murray. Based on this approach, the novel "Prince of Ehtejab" by Houshang Golshiri is clearly compatible with Murray's list of artistic needs. The main interest in the current research is to analyze the character of Prince Ehtejab according to Henry Murray's theory in fiction literature during this study, it is clear that the personality of Prince Ehtejab is mainly in anxiety due to environmental factors - which is included in the category of (Alpha Press) - this causes psychological pressure (Beta Press) and subsequently causes the formation of special needs in Prince Ehtejab's personality. Based on this, the same character is able to overcome his internal pressures by solving needs such as understanding, affection, harmavoidance, injury avoidance, sexual desire, reciprocity and self-reliance; however, this reaction eventually causes the collapse of his personality.
Keywords
Psychological Criticism
Prince Ehtejab
Houshang Golshiri
needs
press
Henry Murray

Subjects

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Contemporary Persian Literature
Volume 15, Issue 1
August 2025
Pages 1-44