Investigation of the Main Characters in <i>Shāzda Iḥtjāb</i> and <i>Malakūt</i> Novels: Alfred Adler’s Theory of Inferiority Complex and Compensation Mechanism

Abstract The psychological study of literary characters is one of the most effective interdisciplinary approaches in literary analysis, capable of revealing the hidden layers of character development and behavioral motivation. Drawing upon Alfred Adler’s theory of individual psychology, this research presents a comparative analysis of the main characters in two novels of modern Persian literature: Shāzda Iḥtijāb by Hūshang Gulshīrī and Malakūt by Bahrām Ṣādiqī. According to Adler’s theory, feelings of inferiority and the striving for compensation are fundamental forces in shaping human personality and behavior. This theory posits that individuals, in response to their deficiencies and weaknesses, adopt compensatory mechanisms that can manifest in either constructive or destructive ways. Using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on library sources, this study investigates how the inferiority complex and its various compensatory mechanisms are manifested in the speech and behavior of the protagonists in these two novels. The findings indicate that both the Shāzda in Shāzda Iḥtijāb and Dr. Ḥātam in Malakūt suffer from deep-seated dissatisfaction and feelings of inadequacy owing to physical, psychological, and sexual limitations. These inner conflicts lead to compensatory behaviors, such as domination, violence, humiliation of others, and a disconnection from reality. The results suggest that Adler’s theory provides a suitable framework for analyzing complex literary characters who grapple with psychological, social, and historical challenges. This approach offers deeper insight into the internal structures of characters and the underlying motivations for their actions within cultural and social contexts.