Motaleat-e-zaban-e-farsi

Motaleat-e-zaban-e-farsi

A Psychological Analysis of the Inferiority Complex in the Anti-Hero Characters of the Khavaran-nameh Based on Alfred Adler’s Theory

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
mohammadamir mashhadi 1
Bayrammorad Moradi 2
homa mashhadi 3
1 Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran (corresponding author).
2 PhD in Persian Language and Literature, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran.
3 Master's degree student in Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran.
10.22034/jmzf.2026.546225.1250
Abstract

1. Introduction
The feeling of inferiority is among the emotions that every individual experiences in some form in their daily life. Many prominent contemporary psychologists have developed their psychological theories based on literary works. From Adler’s perspective, the human being, both biologically and psychologically, is an entity that constantly carries a sense of inferiority. Individuals who suffer from an inferiority complex may resort to dangerous actions and reactions in order to compensate for this complex and may become the source of major social corruptions.
In this study, the author seeks to examine the aspects of the inferiority complex in the characters of Khavaran-nameh by Khusfi based on Alfred Adler’s psychological theory. Adler is one of the founders of the school of individual psychology. From his point of view, social factors determine human behavior. This article has been conducted with the aim of analyzing one of the most important themes in Alfred Adler’s perspective, namely the “inferiority complex,” in the anti-hero characters of Khavaran-nameh by Ebn Hessam Khusfi. Considering the necessary investigations and the existing research gap in this field, the necessity of conducting this study becomes evident. No independent study has yet been found on this subject; therefore, addressing it is essential.

2. Methodology
The present research, using a descriptive-analytical method, attempts to answer the main question: given the importance of personality and its role in the process of analysis, and considering the breadth of personality theories in the field of psychology, do the anti-hero characters of Khavaran-nameh by Ibn Hessam Khusafi possess an inferiority complex or not?

3. Discussion
In Khavaran-nameh, characters are divided into two groups: positive and negative, with the number of negative characters reaching 43, all of whom exhibit signs of an inferiority complex. In this poem, themes such as jealousy, hatred, anger, arrogance, and the instrumental use of values to achieve goals are employed; therefore, the characters throughout the narrative display such traits, which are precisely consistent with Alfred Adler’s psychological theory. Throughout the story, the poet has beautifully expressed these themes through verses. These traits can be observed in the behaviors of the negative characters of the story, such as Mirsiāf, Chipāl, Qattār, Hoomān, Hāmous, Jahāngir, and Khavaran Shāh.

4. Conclusion
The inferiority complex is a set of perceptions and mental impressions that possess emotional roots and are generally enclosed within a sphere of painful and distressing associations. In Khavaran-nameh, whose fundamental theme and basis for the formation of epic scenes is the confrontation between Islam and disbelief, the anti-hero characters are characterized by an inferiority complex. Traits such as fear, revenge, hatred, arrogance, behavioral contradiction, jealousy, anger, and the instrumental use of values are embedded within these anti-heroes. The root of these traits stems from a desire for superiority and a quest for power, as each of the leaders of disbelief believes that by overthrowing Islam, they can achieve their sinister goals. Thus, by following inner temptations, they cultivate moral vices such as anger, revenge, and hatred within themselves. Their desire for power has led them to close their eyes to the truth and, enveloped in false and devilish temptations, to rise in hostility against reality, ultimately meeting a fatal end. Their sense of superiority drives them to spend their lives in plotting, deception, lying, and trickery, and in pursuit of their desires, they trample upon moral principles and persist in doing so.
Keywords
Ibn Hossam Khusfi
Khavarannameh
personality
antihero
inferiority complex
Alfred Adler
کتاب­شناسی
الف: کتاب‌ها
1)      آدلر، آلفرد (۱۳۸۲)، شناخت انسان از دیدگاه روان‌شناسی فردی، ترجمۀ محمدتقی جاوید، تهران: رشد.
2)      .................(1384)، کمال‌جویی انسان، ترجمۀ علی‌اکبر فرهنگی، تهران: البرز.
3)      اخلاقی، اکبر (1376)، تحلیل ساختاری منطق‌الطیر عطّار، اصفهان: فردا.
4)      اسپربر، مانس (1379)، بررسی روان‌شناختی خودکامگی، ترجمۀ علی صاحبی، تهران: روشنگران و مطالعات زنان.
5)      اسلامی ندوشن، محمدعلی (1355)، جام جهان بین در زمینۀ نقد ادبی و ادبیات تطبیقی، چاپ چهارم، تهران: توس
6)      خوسفی، ابن حسام. (1366)، دیوان، مشهد: چاپ احمد احمدی بیرجندی و محمدتقی سالک.
7)      ................. (1377)، خاوران‌نامه، نیمۀ دوّم. تصحیح حمیدالله مرادی، پایان‌نامه کارشناسی ارشد، مشهد: دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد.
8)      ................. (1381)، خاوران‌نامه؛ نگاره‌ها و تذهیب‌های فرهاد نقاش، تهران: سازمان چاپ و انتشارات وزارت فرهنگ و ارشاد اسلامی با همکاری سازمان میراث.
9)      ................. (1382)، خاوران‌نامه، تصحیح ایرج افشار، ج 1-4، تهران: میراث مکتوب.
10)  ................. (1386)، خاوران‌نامه، نیمة اوّل، تصحیح حیدرعلی خوش‎کنار، اردبیل: مهد تمدّن.
11)  سمرقندی، دولتشاه (1382)، تذکرة­الشعرا، تصحیح ادوارد براون، تهران: اساطیر.
12)  شولتز، دوان (1384)، نظریه‌های شخصیّت، مترجم: یوسف کریمی، چاپ چهارم، تهران: ارسباران.
13)  صفا، ذبیح‌الله (1382)، تاریخ ادبیات در ایران: از پایان قرن هشتم تا اوایل قرن دهم هجری، تهران: فردوس.
14)  ................. (1389)، حماسه‌سرایی در ایران، تهران: امیرکبیر.
15)  کریمی، یوسف. (1374)، روان‌شناسی شخصیت، چاپ دهم، تهران: مؤسسۀ نشر ویرایش.
16)  مرادی، حمیدالله (1382)، تازیان‌نامة پارسی (خلاصة خاوران‌نامة ابن­حسام خوسفی)، تهران: مرکز نشر دانشگاهی.
17)  واعظی، مرادعلی (1390)، دیوان مولانا محمّد بن حسام خوسفی، تهران: فکر بکر.
ب: مقاله‌ها 
1)      احمدی بیرجندی، احمد (1364)، «ابن‌حسام خوسفی، شاعری حق‌شناس، اما ناشناخته»، کیهان فرهنگی، شمارۀ 19، صص 20-19.
2)      اصغری طرقی، مژگان (1392)، «جنبه‏های حماسی و ویژگی‏های سبکی خاوران‏نامۀ ابن‏حسام خوسفی»، دوفصل‌نامۀ علمی تاریخ ادبیات، دورۀ 6، شمارۀ 1 (پیاپی 72)،  صص 49-17.
3)      بهنام‌فر، محمد و خسروی، مجید (1392)، «تأثیر شاهنامه بر خاوران‌نامه»، فصل‌نامة مطالعات فرهنگی اجتماعی خراسان، شمارۀ 26، صص 8-35.
 

  • Receive Date 09 September 2025
  • Revise Date 18 November 2025
  • Accept Date 24 January 2026