Critical Discourse Analysis of the Representation of Social Actors in Café Piano

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Persian Language and Literature, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran (Corresponding Author)

2 Assistant Professor of Persian Language and Literature, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

3 Ph.D Student of Persian Language and Literature, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

10.22075/jlrs.2024.34104.2468

Abstract

Van Leeuwen’s model of critical discourse analysis, which uncovers patterns of representing social actors through sociological-semantic components, offers an effective framework for explaining the complex network of social actors’ representations in narrative fiction. This approach focuses on how individuals, groups, and institutions are represented in social discourses, shedding light on the underlying power structures and social relationships they reflect. Farhad Jafari’s Café Piano, a notable work of contemporary fiction with diverse representations of social actors, provides an appropriate basis for analyzing the roles and identities of these actors. Drawing on Van Leeuwen’s model, this article explores how social actors are represented in Café Piano, aiming to elucidate the intricate web of social actors in this novel. The research findings suggest that the novel’s numerous social actors are not merely peripheral figures; rather, they are integral to the narrative structure and reflective of broader social and cultural discourse. By focusing on middle-class characters and illustrating the effects of social and economic challenges on their lives, Café Piano offers a nuanced portrayal of the contemporary middle class and its struggles. The use of certain sociological-semantic components also adds depth to the individual and social representation of the characters. The research method is descriptive-analytical, supported by a quantitative approach to identify and analyze the sociological-semantic components used in the text.

Keywords

References

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Journal Of Linguistic and Rhetorical Studies
Volume 16, Issue 40
In Progress
June 2025
Pages 33-64

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