"اين نيز می کذرد" Narrative Plasticity in Rahimi's War Chronicles

Abstract

This paper examines Atiq Rahimi’s war chronicles through the lens of Catherine Malabou’s theory of plasticity. It aims to deconstruct his war trauma and understand his conflicted relationship with his motherland: he sometimes mourns it and longs for it, while at other times he stares at it and hopelessly portrays its regretful annihilation. Through novels, films, letters, and photographs, he attempts to sustain a bond with his homeland. The plasticity of his works allows history to be preserved. Malabou’s notion of plasticity will be used to demonstrate the precariousness of memory and the fragility of perceptions in times of war. This article will highlight how Rahimi, through his “vision of thoughts,” transforms his pain into art and his chronicles into history.