Symbolic Cultural Confrontations in “From Behind the Windows” by Akbar Radi Based on William Beeman’s Views

Language plays a fundamental role in Akbar Radi’s works. Therefore, language-based approaches can help us understand their dramatic action. This article analyzes “From Behind the Windows” from a linguistic stance by using William O. Beeman’s views. William O. Beeman (1947- ), an American anthropologist, considers language as a tool for exercising power and indicating the different statuses of people in social situations. He examines every action, regardless of its moral value, or its unethical burden, from the perspective of its communicative role. His book, Language, Dignity and Power in Iran (1986), is important from two aspects: first, it is a suitable model for us to see how anthropological studies can serve linguistic and dramatic studies; second, it helps us see our character as an Iranian from the perspective of an external observer. Therefore, it can be a suitable model in creating language-oriented drama and can be used in analyzing the behavior of Iranian characters. In this book, every action, regardless of its moral value or its unethical burden, is examined from the perspective of the communication role.  According to Beeman, there are two categories of symbolic cultural contrasts that shape the control aspect of communication events. Internal/external opposition and hierarchy/equality opposition. In his book, Beeman does not cross these two categories of opposition, but one can also see a kind of correlation between them, which occor in the play “From Behind the Windows”. This play depicts the thirty-year life of Bamdad and Maryam and their family relationship with Mrs. and Mr. Derakhshan. During these thirty years, while the Derakhshans are always progressing, Bamdad and Maryam are pushing back both in their private and social lives. Furthermore, we show that the atmosphere governing the discourse between the two couples in the show, as well as the atmosphere governing the discourse of each couple, is a kind of intermingling of internal-external and hierarchical poles. During the 30 years of family relationship, we have increasingly witnessed the formation and expansion of the intimate relationship between two couples. One witnesses economic and social advancement of the second couple, and the rule of the “host-guest” position creates a hierarchical relationship between the two couples.  In conclusion, “From Behind the Windows” is a work that is completely based on two opposites, and in this play, Akbar Radi, in the form representing two lifestyles, allows the audience to decide which is better: “science or wealth”. Certainly, analyzing the play at the lexical level (as Beeman describes in his book), can provide the audience with more information about the power relations in the play. Also, a similar research in other works of Akbar Radi can help clarify the power relations between exemplary characters in Radi's works. In the same way, a similar research in the works of other Iranian playwrights that is based on the language, will be useful and enlightening.