Sa’di’s Rose Garden: a Paean to Reconciliation ‘An Exploration of Socio-Political Relations, Human Interactions, Integration, Peace and Harmony’ Mohamad Ahmadian Cherkawani (Iman) Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations Department of Politics School of Geography, Politics, Sociology 01/2018 i ii Abstract The core purpose of this PhD has been to investigate the reconciliatory thought of a 13th century Persian poet named Sa’di Shirazi. Although Sa’di’s prose poetry is not set out in the systematic form of a comprehensive political theory, profound insights were extracted from it that convey a powerful message regarding the necessities of harmonious behaviour as a precondition for a healthy society, and the dangers of not adhering to it. The Rose Garden of Sa’di, his most prized work and a pillar of Persian literature which is one of the oldest in the world, was the focus of this thesis. I revealed that deep within the Rose Garden, there exists a concept of human integration or reconciliation leading towards an ideal state that Sa’di envisions and the name of the book denotes. This concept lies at the heart of his concern for human well-being and prosperity. The thesis is developed in five stages: first, I describe Sa’di’s personality and life experiences; second, I show how recently there has been an aesthetic turn and a local turn in our understanding of present-day politics and peace, demonstrating how poetry, especially indigenous poetry, can have a significant impact on political behaviour and understanding; third, I deal with the historiographical issue of transposing ideas from the past into political situations of the present, arguing that such transposition is not only legitimate but ineluctable; fourth, I provide a rigorous analysis of the reconciliatory notions in Sa’di’s masterpiece, the Rose Garden; and fifth, I propose that Sa’di’s concept of reconciliation can potentially help mitigate the profound clash in 21st century Iran between its national and religious identities, since poetry is an important and integral part of the cultural conscience of Iranians and a vehicle to mobilise, invigorate and convey socio-political ideas. Particularly, the eminent role which Sa'di has played in the past and present Iranian consciousness and expressions of Iranian character makes him a suitable candidate for this potential role. iii Acknowledgements “To the comrades who held the flag when I had fallen…, to those who suffered when I suffered and those who laughed when I laughed…, to those who didn’t let me raise the white flag when adversity struck…,… to life,… to love,…to Sa’di Shirazi,…to Persia!” This project would not have been possible without the many who had offered their guidance, love, support, finance, prayers, advice, companionship, sacrifice, and smiles. I have categorised three groups and recognised their contributions. Academics, Intellectuals, Teachers, Scientists First and foremost, under no circumstance would this project yield results without the undying dedication and kindness of Professor Timothy Stuart Gray of the University of Newcastle. His compassion, understanding, intelligence, warmth, engagement, precision, and patience were monumental. I can never thank him enough and that is reality. Moreover, I have to thank Anne Gray for her support of Tim’s supervision of my project which took many more supervisory meetings than usual. Bless her! This project has to thank Professor Derek Bell of the University of Newcastle for his participation and input in the project. Without his involvement and facilitation of outside experts joining the team, the project would not have yielded. I sincerely thank Professor Paul Luft from the University of Durham who not only through his care and dedication improved the work, but his expertise proved invaluable. I sincerely thank Professor Anthony Zito of the University of Newcastle for his consultation and advice which came in priceless. His smallest touch made a world of difference to the thesis. A special thanks goes to Dr. Cian O’Driscoll of the University of Glasgow who was my mentor and supervisor during my Masters there. My gratitude to Dr Giuliano Maielli of Queen Mary, University of London who was my supervisor and a cornerstone of my success during my Bachelors there. Dr. Jeffrey Roux and Dr. Reza Ahmadian of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) were treasures in real life. Dr. Tahmasebi of Bahonar Hospital in Tehran, Iran and Dr. Mehrabanian of Taft hospital in Yazd, Iran paved the way for my happiness and health. I am indebted to him. My gratitude to the kindness of Dr. Behiri and Dr. John of Queen Mary, University of London, Mr. Samadi and Mr. Amiri of Isfahan University of Technology High school, Mrs. Schenley of Oxford Middle School Mississippi, Mrs. Hashemi my 3rd grade private tutor in Isfahan, Iran, Mrs. Rayisi of Ashrafi Isfahani primary school in Isfahan, Iran, Mrs. Glasby at Oxford Elementary School, Mississippi, USA, Mrs. Thomas my kindergarten teacher at Bramlet school in Oxford, Mississippi, USA, Dr. Parsayee of Shahid Beheshti (National) University , Tehran, Iran. iv Family, Folks, Relatives, Loved ones I have to thank my father Reza Ahmadian for his material support and my mother Simin Ahmadian for her moral encouragement. My mother placed her full hearted effort behind my father’s PhD and then mine. I thank my sisters Samira and Samaneh for their patience and apologize for their suffering. They are flowers to me. I cannot forget my grandparents who have passed away, Babayee, Babahaji, and Mummy. May they rest in peace. Also my uncle Naser and my father’s aunt Khadije who have passed away helped me so much. Bless their souls. My cousins Mohamad, Neda khanum, and Hamid always were there for me in good and bad times. My grandmother who loves me so much and is always behind me, Mamayee, is a true light on my existence. May God grant her a thousand years of health and happiness. My aunt Parvin who always loves me is an inspiration and I thank her. Mr. and Mrs. Farajiani were very caring of me. My uncles Ghassem and Hussein have been dear. My father’s cousins Safar, Ali Haj- Khadijeh, Fati khanum, and Reza were gifts to me. Friends, Associates, Companions, Colleagues I have to thank the friends who have always been more than friends for me in good times and bad. Their warmth will never be forgotten especially Omar Hussein Harran whom I would give my life for, Homoud who truly redefined friendship, and Amir Olia who is a part of me. Moreover, my beautiful comrades were: Muath Alghanmi, Imad, Borja, Mohamad Kuwaiti, Khaled, Muath Zolary, Abdolrahman, Carmen, Javi, Hossein, Hessam, Esmayeel, Mangoor, Mohamad Omani, Nick Howard, Gholamali, Sa’d, Othman, Abdullah, Messar, Wael, Hamza, Hamdi, Paul Alexandr, Matze, Ahmed, Mehdi Mousavi, Payam, Hassan Ghassemi, Kool, Yen Wen, Fereydoon, Fon, Matteo, Kenny, Kon Hun, Hajagha Fanian, Elouise, Mezel, Dilvin, Amir Rio, Madeline, Mojtaba, Mr. Azizian, Mr. Abtahi, Rasool, Mr. Ghahi, Mokhtar, Allessandro, Sid, Mohamad Bahraini, Parham, Mr. Salamat, Amu Assad, Amu Ali Mehrabi, Ehsan, Marco, Ayesha, Rawan,… To the memory of Willaim Ernest Henley, his poem, and his path which reminded me of my hardships in this project: “Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole. I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find me, unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul” (Henley, 1988, pp. 56-7). v vi Table of Contents Title page…………………………………………………………………………………….....i Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………..iii Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………………iv Chapter 1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………...1 1.1 Rationale of the Study………………………………………………………………...……1 1.2 Challenges of the Study……………………………………………………………………3 1.3 Approach……………………………………………………………………….…………..3 1.4 Aims………………………………………………………………………………………..6 1.5 Sa’di’s Works…………………………………...………………………………………….6 1.6 Commentaries on Sa’di’s Work………………………...………………………………….9 Chapter 2. Sa’di’s Profile……………………………………………………………………..13 2.1 Sa’di’s Life………………………………………………………………………………..13 2.2 Political Context of Sa’di’s Life…………………….……………………………………16 2.2.1 Mongol Invasion of Iran………….…………………………………………………….16 2.2.2 Crusades in the Levant…….……………………………………………………………16 2.2.3 Rulers of Fars……….…………………………………………………………………..17 2.2.4 Rulers of Baghdad………………………………………………………………………20 2.3 Sa’di’s Position in Persian Literature……………………………………………………..20 2.4 Sa’di and Modern Day Iran………….……………………………………………………23 2.4.1 Revered until the 19th Century…………………..……………………………………..23 2.4.2 Criticised during the 20th Century……….……………………………………………..24 2.4.3 Recovered Reputation in the 21st Century……………………………………………..27 vii Chapter 3. The Aesthetic Turn in Politics and Local Turn in Peace Studies……….………...29 3.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….29 3.2 The Aesthetic Turn…………………..……………………………………………………29 3.2.1 Aesthetics and Politics………………………………………………………………….29 3.2.2 Poetry and Politics…….………………………………………………………………..32 3.2.3 Two Examples of the Role of Poetry in the Politics of Iran……………………………39 3.2.3.1 Iran’s Constitutional Revolution in 1905-1911 as an Example of the Interaction between Poetry and Politics in the Country……….………………………………………….39 3.2.3.2 Poetry before the Islamic Revolution of Iran (1978-1979): Another Example of the Interaction between Poetry and Politics in Iran…………………………………………..…..44 3.2.4 Closing Remarks………………………………………………………………………..48 3.3 The Local Turn in the Politics of Peace…….…………………………………………….49 3.3.1 The Emergence of the Local Turn and the Importance of Culture…….……………….49 3.3.2. The Local Turn and the Aesthetic Turn………………………………………………..52 3.4 Conclusion……………..…………………………………………………………………53 Chapter 4.