The Poetry of Parvin E’tesami: A Silent Feminine Voice in Persian Literature

Abstract

Parvin E’tesami is a prominent figure in Persian literature whose poetry reflects a unique blend of feminine consciousness, social awareness and moral insight. While she addresses themes such as women's rights, education, justice and human values, her poetic voice tends to avoid direct emotional expression. Instead, she often relies on symbolic, ethical and intellectual modes of articulation. This study explores how Parvin adopts a form of “silent feminine expression” a voice that does not cry out emotionally but rather speaks through thoughtful restraint and cultural dignity. Her poems frequently reach a point where personal or emotional themes emerge but are quickly redirected toward moral conclusions. This recurring silence is not mere omission, but rather a reflection of the socio-cultural constraints of her time, where open expression by women was limited. Within these constraints, however, Parvin forged a powerful, subtle, and dignified feminine voice that continues to resonate in Persian literary discourse.