The Thematic Classification of Proverbs and Ironies in Selected Novels of Mahmoud Dowlatabadi: The Case of Kelidar, Missing Salouch, and The Passed Days of Old People

Mahmoud Dowlatabadi employs different literary devices, and proverbs and ironies from the folk culture to improve the quality of his works, particularly in novels of Kelidar, Missing Salouch, The Passed days of old people. This study employs a descriptive-analytical approach to classify the themes and content of proverbs and ironies used in the above-mentioned novels, and then extract the role of such literary devices in representing Dowlatabadi's ideas. The findings showed that the proverbs and ironies in these novels have sociocultural, political, and aesthetic-didactic themes within the texts. Also, these literary types carry religious and ideological themes which represent the lifestyle of people.