Abstract
Memoirs of Dokhtar-e Shina by Behnaz Zarabi-Zadeh is one of the most widely recognized memoirs of the Iran–Iraq War, narrating the life of the martyr Samad Ebrahimi Hajir and his wife, Ghadam-Kheyr Mohammadi Kanaan. Characterization constitutes one of the most significant elements of this work, and an analysis of its main characters can provide new insights into their psychological and behavioral dimensions. Drawing upon Raymond Cattell’s trait theory and employing a descriptive-analytical approach, the present study examines the personality traits of the principal characters and explores the extent to which these traits correspond to the core values of resistance literature. The main research question addresses which of Cattell’s personality factors are reflected in the main characters and how they align with such concepts as perseverance, self-sacrifice, courage, self-reliance, commitment to ideals, and resistance.
The findings indicate that several personality factors identified in Cattell’s theory display a considerable degree of correspondence with the values associated with resistance literature. In the character of Ghadam-Kheyr Mohammadi Kanaan, qualities such as patience, perseverance, self-sacrifice, and self-reliance are particularly prominent. In contrast, Samad Ebrahimi Hajir is chiefly characterized by courage, altruism, conscientiousness, commitment to ideals, and prioritizing collective interests over personal concerns. The study further demonstrates that the principal characters of Memoirs of Dokhtar-e Shina transcend the level of individual figures and emerge as enduring models of resilience and resistance within the literature of the Sacred Defense. Values such as perseverance, self-sacrifice, courage, self-reliance, and devotion are vividly embodied through their actions, choices, and conduct throughout the narrative.
Keywords: Memoirs of Dokhtar-e Shina, Raymond Cattell, Personality Psychology, Resistance Literature, Sacred Defense Literature