The Blood of Flowers Literary Elements

Historical Fiction

Set in 17th century Persia.

First-person narration from the point of view of the protagonist.

Assertive, Ardent, Gullible, Fatalistic

The protagonist is Joonam. The antagonist is the oppressive culture that subjugates women.

As a young woman in 17th-century Persia Joonam has all odds against her in finding a suitor to marry and prosper as a carpet designer. After the death of her father and other misfortunes, she struggles to secure a dowry whilst navigating the male-dominated occupation.

The climax happens when Joonam chooses to leave the role of a temporary wife and Fereydoon ruins their business using his influence.

“Many of the villagers had already noticed mysterious signs or heard of misfortunes caused by the comet.”

In their culture, the passing of a comet signifies bad fortune which foreshadows the death of Joonam’s father and the misfortunes that occur in their family.

N/A

The novel alludes to the patriarchal society in 17th century Persia that oppressed women and denied them the same freedoms their male counterparts had.

“The dome of the Friday mosque looked all turquoise from afar, but up closer I could see it was enlivened with swirling vines in yellow and white. Garlands of white and turquoise blossomed on the dome of the Shah’s lemon-colored mosque. The arched gateways to the mosques sprouted a profusion of tiled white flowers that looked like stars sparkling in the blue of twilight.”

N/A

“For you, my beloved. For you. That is why, with my whole heart, I abandon you to your husband’s love, if you choose to give yourself to him. For you deserve love as much as any woman.”

“I was astonished that he came from such humble stock.”

“It was brighter than any comet we had ever seen, and more evil. Night after night, as it crawled across our skies spraying its cold white seeds of sorrow”