Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Woody Allen, Spike Lee: Ethnicity, Race and this scholar about the influence of group in
Identity in American Independent Film by identity construction of its members. Peter
James F. Scott and Woody Allen and Charlie Mayo has studied Antonio Gramsci‟s theory
Chaplin: Little Men, Big Auteurs by Jill of hegemony in educational institutions in
Franks, both written in 2019. The former his book entitled Gramsci and Educational
one tends to ponder over these directors‟ Thought in 2010. In addition to this book,
movies and the influence of American Frankfurt theories of Lukacs in The
culture on them as a “melting pot.” The Reification of Consciousness written by
author tries to see “how ethno-racial Weterman in 2010, and those of Theodor
categories increasingly blur into categories Adorno and Benjamin in Benjamin and
of class and culture” (Scott, 2019, 2). The Adorno on Art and Art Criticism: Critique of
latter one, however, highlights the Art written by Lijster in 2017 are also drawn
congruous concepts and elements in Chaplin upon. Additionally Peter E. Gordon, Espen
and Allen‟s masterpieces. Since these Hammer, Axel Honneth (2018) have reread
studies have thought of Allen as a cinematic different theories of Frankfurt school eying
figure, this paper cannot be entertained with the modern concerns. They have gathered
their arguments very much. In contrast, it their related articles in The Routledge
tries to focus on his style of writing in one of Companion to the Frankfurt School, which
his short stories and its similarities to the is another beneficial source for this paper.
selected Persian short story by Ahmad 3. Form at Author’s Service to Criticize
Mahmoud. Capitalism
Ahmad Mahmoud‟s oeuvre, though, The medium and the style chosen by
has received not much consideration in the any author to tell his story are significant. It
academy. In 2014, Javad Eshaghian allotted can convey unwritten meanings or
one book of his series entitled The Story of unexpressed feelings. The two selected
Knowing Iran to Mahmoud. He has applied stories have employed the medium of short
different literary theories to several story and third-person limited narrator.
Mahmoud‟s works, none of which is of help Additionally, they have both employed open
to this paper and its discussion. Khatere ending to highlight the impact of capitalism
Darabi (2016) in “Social Realism in the in their stories in a similar fashion.
Works of Ahmad Mahmoud” and Sareh Short story is a rather brief and
Zirak and Masoomeh Bashokouh in “The pointed work of fiction concentrating on “a
Fiunction of „Time‟ in Realistic Novels on certain unique or single effect” (Cuddon,
analyzing Two Novels Neighbor of Ahmad 2013, 653). Modern short story is supposed
Mahmoud and Midiaq Alley of Naghib to narrate a limited part of everyday life, or
Mafouz” have reread several of Mahmoud‟s as in Chekhov‟s words: “a slice of life”
works from a formalistic approach. These presented suggestively (Fatma, 2010, 2).
articles are not in line with this paper‟s Moreover “short story is considered as one
discussion, either, signifying the importance man‟s story” (Fatma, 2010, 6) where we are
of a new study from the perspective of this “zooming in on a part of [his] life and
paper to fill the gap in the existing literature personality and exploring it in depth"
on Mahmoud‟s oeuvre. (Guillian, 2015, 8). It means, firstly, the
Many pieces of research have zoomed number of characters in short story is very
on different Frankfurt School concepts in limited and secondly, no heroic figure is
Allen‟s works. However, none of them puts involved. These characteristics make short
“The Kugelmass Episode” under story a suitable medium for Mahmoud and
consideration. The same is true about Allen through which they can reach their
Mahmoud‟s “A Familiar Tale.” The present targets. These authors want to criticize
study tries to fill this gap by focusing on the modern society and the impact of capitalism
existing parallelism between the two in dehumanizing individuals. When it is
selected short stories through Frankfurt added to other elements employed by these
School lens. two stories, the significance can be more
The viewpoint through which highlighted. Using the word “Familiar” by
Frankfurt school scholars analyze capitalism Mahmoud and “Episode” by Allen in the
and its consequences on modern man can be title of their short stories respectively is one
traced in these two short stories. This paper of these elements, connoting iteration. They
benefits from different sources in this allude to something repetitive, which is
respect. The Sane Society written by Eric rarely shocking. In other words, the feeling
Fromm in 1956 provides us with the ideas of of ennui is implicated in these words‟
Cite this article as: Sehat, M. & Jahantigh, H. (2019). Enmeshed Beings: A Comparative Study of Ahmad
Mahmoud‟s „A Familiar Tale‟ and Woody Allen‟s „The Kugelmass Episode’. International Journal of English
Language & Translation Studies. 7(1). 140-147.
Page | 142
Enmeshed Beings: A Comparative Study of Ahmad Mahmoud‟s… Ma‟soome Sehat & Hossein Jahantigh
(Allen, 1991, 6). At the most romantic do not love each other since they are not
moment, they praise each other superficially, able to fulfill each other‟s desires anymore.
glorifying the outfit, as if their identity and As Fromm declares, “family is an agency of
true sense is defined just by their society” (1956, xxvi), therefore by the same
appearances. token one can claim that the same is true
This materialistic attitude toward life about the society as a whole; love does not
has some side effects, among which seem commendable to modern man.
commodification is one of the most Accustomed to consuming more and more,
significant ones. It is defined by Eric Fromm modern man wishes to use what he wants
as a state in which “Nothing has value in without paying the costs. Capitalism
itself but only as goods to buy” (xxxii). This manipulates its members with enforcing this
is a key concept for Frankfurt School ideology: the more, the merrier.
scholars in their study of the mal-effects of Love is no longer venerable in
capitalism. The focus of Adorno and capitalist society and art bears the same
Horkheimer in their “Culture Industry” was condition. It is, also, commodified, and is
“on criticism of the commodification of art used by capitalism just to render profit.
and its reproduction to create repetitive Based on Frankfurt School, art has two
cultural products for mass consumption” façades or in Lijster‟s words, “two ends,
(Getz & Page, 2016 61). first, the imminent dissolution of the
Under capitalism, all values are semblance of the work of art and, second,
redefined and accordingly commodified. A the proliferation of the aesthetic brought
very significant issue as love is no longer about by technological reproduction” (2017,
considered a heroic feature. No man in 16). In his Aesthetic Theory, Adorno
capitalist society dares to sacrifice himself mentions that art and its products of culture
for the sake of love. In contrast, one wants to industry share a certain detachment from the
enjoy love in favor of his or her interests. so-called “seriousness of life” (Rebentisch &
Love is admirable since it can provide a Trautmann, 2018, 21). In other words, art
better life based on capitalist standards. misses its real function in the capitalist
Additionally, patriarchal society treats society. Allen and Mahmoud have borne
women like objects for reproduction and both meanings in their mind while writing
“late capitalist society … massively these short stories. They prefer challenge
commodifies women as sex objects” (Tao & conventional standards which make art
Huang, 2011, 143). In the eyes of both forget its mission.
Karim and Kugelmass, a good woman is a Karim and his art are always ignored
beautiful one. Kugelmass “calls his fat wife since his talent has no value based on
troglodyte” (Allen, 1991, 1) while calling capitalistic standards. His father does not
his beloved, Madame Bovary, as “sugar” support him financially to buy the stuff he
and “cupcake” (Allen, 1991, 10). He needs to paint and says, “I do not like him to
compares them as: “She is beautiful, paint in million years” (Mahmoud, 1991,
Kugelmass thought. What a contrast with the 28). Nagging all the time about his poetry,
troglodyte who shared his bed! He felt a his wife, eventually, rinses his books.
sudden impulse to take this vision into his Moreover, his friends tease him because of
arms and tell her she was the kind of woman his talents in poetry. “Don‟t ruin our
he had dreamed of all his life” (Allen, 1991, pleasure with your poems” (Mahmoud,
6). When Madame Bovary warns her lover 1991, 24) and “business is far from poetry”
with these words “get me back to the novel (Mahmoud, 1991, 50). These words indicate
or marry me” (Allen 13), however, the their beliefs about Karim‟s art. Ordinary
beautiful epithets used for her like “sugar” people, such as the dancer in the casino, are
and “cupcake” are replaced by “little not competent enough to have a good
mouse.” Kugelmass changes his mind about appraisal of his art. Therefore, it is doomed
her since he cannot afford the expenses of to be criticized bluntly. The dancer
her new lifestyle. addresses Karim after his reading a poem:
No true love is involved in the selected “you are definitely out of your mind”
protagonists‟ marital relationship, either. (Mahmoud, 1991, 26). In addition, the
Both are disappointed with their wives and narrator also describes his way of
want to get rid of them. They are not composing poetry sarcastically. Karim
anymore the desirable objects, though they himself explicates his opinion about the
once used to be. Their wives, on the other quality of his poetry thus: “This poem is so
hand, look at them like moneymakers. They sophisticated that unfit alliteration is
Cite this article as: Sehat, M. & Jahantigh, H. (2019). Enmeshed Beings: A Comparative Study of Ahmad
Mahmoud‟s „A Familiar Tale‟ and Woody Allen‟s „The Kugelmass Episode’. International Journal of English
Language & Translation Studies. 7(1). 140-147.
Page | 144
Enmeshed Beings: A Comparative Study of Ahmad Mahmoud‟s… Ma‟soome Sehat & Hossein Jahantigh
negligible” (Mahmoud, 1991, 19). The fixed experience new pleasures in their life.
standards of composing a poem, by putting Nevertheless, they are too weak and their
so many bounds on the poet, make it forget dream would never come true in such a
its true function. In Adorno‟s words “Today “totally administrated society.” Critical
the dignity of art is measured not according theorists believe that consumer society and
to whether or not it evades this antinomy identity formation have a forged
through lack or skill, but in terms of how it relationship, therefore, individuals are not
bears it” (Rebentisch & Trautmann, 2018, allowed to enjoy a creative fashion of
22). identity (Kebede, 2010, 134).
In “The Kugelmass Episode”, on the In this respect, the role of mass media
other hand, artists and professors of is highlighted. Like a puppeteer, it imposes
literature are attacked sarcastically. After its favorite way of life and thought on
Kugelmass‟s journey in and out of the world society. Through mass culture, celebrities,
of the novel, a professor declares: “I cannot including artists, especially actors and
get my mind around this … . First, a strange athletes like footballers serve as role models.
character named Kugelmass, and now she's This is what Frankfurt School scholars refer
gone from the book. Well, I guess the mark to as fetishism, which means mystifying
of a classic is that you can reread it a some people to dictate a special lifestyle. In
thousand times and always find something “The Kugelmass Episode,” Madame Bovary
new" (Allen, 1991, 10). Allen attempts to finds Broadway and its actors fascinating
bring his readers face to face with the reality after having heard about them a lot from
that commodified art and literature have Kugelmass. Karim of “A Familiar Tale”
forgotten their real function, i.e. assumes himself as a famous footballer and
enlightening people. Not only love and art a talented poet. The former one likes to be
but man also has fixed definitions in famous and the latter one is seeking respect,
capitalist societies, where there is no respect both haunted by the idea of commodified
for heterogeneity. fetishism.
While both protagonists feel unique, Allen portrays fetishism in his
their wives treat them like ordinary men. In depicted society by describing Emma‟s
both societies, men are considered as feeling after coming to the modern world
money-makers. They are supposed to ignore thus:
their own desires for the sake of this She had been starved for excitement, and
responsibility. Mina thinks Karim is good- his tales of Broadway nightlife, of fast cars and
for-nothing since he cannot afford to provide Hollywood and TV stars, enthralled the young
her with her desirable life. Kugelmass has a French beauty. "Tell me again about O. J.
similar dire fate in his family. He does not Simpson," she implored that evening, as she and
Kugelmass strolled past Abbe Bournisien's
get separated from Daphne just because he church. "What can I say? The man is great. He
cannot “afford another divorce.” sets all kinds of rushing records. Such moves.
Along with commodification, They can't touch him." "And the Academy
capitalism requires obedient people without Awards?" Emma said wistfully. "I'd give
identity; the ones pursuing no personal anything to win one." "First you've got to be
interests and ready to serve the system. nominated." "I know. You explained it. But I'm
Fromm refers to this fact as the role of convinced I can act. Of course, I'd want to take a
internalization. He believes that haunted by class or two. With Strasberg maybe. Then, if I
their social duties, people under capitalism had the right agent." (Allen, 1991, 8-9)
are role-oriented. It means they have lost Madam Bovary is mesmerized soon
their identity and creativity in order to after encountering the glamor of modern
satisfy capitalism‟s desires; both as a means life.
of production and consumption. “Man does Mahmoud shows fetishism in Karim‟s
not experience himself as the active bearer words several times. Karim lives in the
of his own powers and richness but as an illusion of being a famous poet and
impoverished thing” (Fromm, 1956, 121). footballer who deserves others‟ respect.
Karim and Kugelmass do not like to face Once addressing his wife who was
this fact. As Kugelmass says: “he has complaining about their financial problem,
emotion” (Allen, 1991, 1). It is actually part Karim says that nobody dares to spread
of capitalism‟s plan, individuals “feel that gossips about a popular champion and poet
they can assert their authority;” however, in [referring to himself] (Mahmoud, 1991, 16).
practice, they find it a wrong assumption, Another time is when he expects a stranger
not really viable (Kebede, 2010, 134). They to recognize him:
want to surpass conventional institutions and Karim: I‟m Karim.
Cite this article as: Sehat, M. & Jahantigh, H. (2019). Enmeshed Beings: A Comparative Study of Ahmad
Mahmoud‟s „A Familiar Tale‟ and Woody Allen‟s „The Kugelmass Episode’. International Journal of English
Language & Translation Studies. 7(1). 140-147.
Page | 146
Enmeshed Beings: A Comparative Study of Ahmad Mahmoud‟s… Ma‟soome Sehat & Hossein Jahantigh