The Department of Persian at the College of Languages/ the University of Baghdad discussed the master’s thesis titled (The Discourse in the Play “Afoul” by Akbar Radi – A Semiotic Study) by the student Haider Ahmed Abdel Hamid.
The thesis aimed to emphasize the topic of semiotics-semantics as an analytical method that penetrates into the depth of texts by taking formal features as indicators of interpretation and identifying their indicative dimensions. Roland Barthes is considered the leader of this trend, as he believes that semiotic research is the study of signifying systems by focusing on the linguistic dualities of language/speech, signifier/signified, and report/suggestion. However; another theory was emphasized by the linguist Kremas, which emphasizes that the semiotic square is one of the aspects of revealing the total opposition / semi-opposition, as we find that it through these successive squares represented by the degrees of the semantic ladder that one was able to reach the idea of the final ascension of the play (Afoul).
The thesis applied the descriptive-analytical approach as a basis for research work. The title, the cover image and characters of the play were analyzed based on Philip Hammon’s theory. Moreover; the discursive systems that had an important role in drawing the semantic boxes were analyzed.
The thesis came out with important recommendations; namely, the use of the five semiotic-semantic squares of the play cannot reach the overall meaning except by applying the model of ascending the semantic ladder of successive squares through which the researcher was able to conclude the truth that the hero of the play “Afoul” was unable to achieve his goal of building the school and redeeming it. The village people are suffering from the oppression of the tyrants.
The discussion committee consisted of the following Professors:
1- Prof. Dr. Aqeel Abdul Hussein Muhammad – Chairman
2- Assistant Prof. Dr. Gholamreza Mosta’la Parsa – External member of Allameh Tabatabai University – Faculty of Arts / University of Tehran / Iran.
3- Professor. Hassan Ali Safar – Member
4- Prof. Dr. Nahla Daoud Salman – Supervisor
It is noteworthy that the thesis consists of an introduction, three chapters, a conclusion, and a list of sources and references.
The student received a grade of (fulfilling)
