Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 19، number In Volume 5، August 2026 ، issue Number 123

Diegetic Narration in Modern Closet Drama from the Perspective of Martin Puchner’s “Stage Fright” (A Case Study of the Play “Phoenix” by Mahmoud Dowlatabadi)

Saeid Goodarzi , Ahmad Tahan (Author in Charge), Naser Najafi

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Modern closet drama is one of the genres of contemporary dramatic literature. Avoiding the Aristotelian demonstrative model of drama, it makes use of Platonic narrative techniques and stimulates the reader through diegetic elements to create the text on the stage of the theater of the mind and perform it through imaginative images. This study examines the narrative elements of this dramatic mode in Mahmoud Dowlatabadi’s play *Phoenix*, aiming to identify and implement diegetic techniques in an Iranian closet drama.

METHODOLOGY: The present research is a theoretical qualitative study. The scope and subject of analysis is the play *Phoenix* by Mahmoud Dowlatabadi. This article has been conducted through library research with an approach based on Martin Puchner’s theory of “stage fright,” and the data have been analyzed using content analysis.

FINDINGS: While avoiding mimetic theatrical narration, Mahmoud Dowlatabadi relies on the capacities of storytelling and screenplay techniques and frequently employs the Platonic diegetic elements capacities (in-text narrative Play, Memory play and Mind play). As a result, the presence of diegetic elements outweighs mimetic ones in the play.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this case study place the play within the category of modern Iranian closet dramas, particularly among the Restrained closet drama. On this basis, Dowlatabadi—by emphasizing “story-like drama” or “narrative-like drama”—reveals a form of closet theater in contrast to visual theater.

Keyword
Diegetic narration , modern Closet drama , Phoenix , Mahmoud Dowlatabadi , Martin Puchner.