In light of the great importance Iranians themselves attach to their imaginative Persian literature and in light of the underutilization of literary figures, works, and evidence in existing studies of Iranian culture, this work focuses on leading authors and classic literary works in attempting to discern enduring cultural features and values. It is a Persianist account of the pivotal features of Iranian culture through the eyes of six Persian literary figures, three from the pre-modern and three from the modern literary history of Iran. The work examines the literary dimensions of the Persian culture as well as the political, social and religious significance of the dimensions within the culture. The author reveals the ancient Persian tradition of the struggle between two opposing forces and the way in which it relates to the present political turmoil in that country.
