THE CHAINS OF LIBERATION AS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF SADEQ CHUBAK’S STORY “THE BABOON WHOSE BUFFOON WAS DEAD”

This article proposes an examination of the theme of alienation and freedom in Sadeq Chubak’s short story “The Baboon Whose Buffoon Was Dead”. Through the character of Makhmal, a domesticated baboon bound to his deceased master, Chubak constructs an allegory that explores the existential and social dimensions of alienation within the context of Iran’s rapid modernization. Using Jaeggi’s philosophical concept of alienation as powerlessness and internal division, alongside Seeman’s social-psychological model, the study investigates how Makhmal’s symbolic struggle with the death of his master reflects broader issues of autonomy, subjugation, and existential anxiety. The analysis reveals how Makhmal’s attempts at liberation are restrained by existential fears and the remnants of oppressive societal chains. The study contributes to existential discourse by connecting the narrative’s themes to broader socio-political dynamics, positioning Chubak’s work as a reflection of alienation in transitional societies like Iran.