The Fusion of Sensory Perception and Narration in Literary Impressionism: A Comparative Study of "Youth" by Joseph Conrad and "Tan-e Abi, Tanabi" by Bijan Najdi

The present study, adopting a comparative-analytical approach and drawing on the theoretical tenets of literary impressionism, compares two stories: "Youth" by Joseph Conrad and "Tan-e Abi, Tanabi" by Bijan Najdi. Literary impressionism, which has its roots in the visual arts, breaks with linear narration and emphasizes the recording of sensory experiences, fragmented narrative structures, and the exploration of individual self-awareness. Instead of physically representing reality, it employs language to evoke the feeling and idea of things. The research methodology is qualitative, employing comparative content analysis; the data have been analyzed using thematic analysis, based on the ideas set forth by Rebecca Bowler in her book Literary Impressionism (2016). The findings indicate that both stories are grounded in the principle of “sensory impression” rather than objective reportage. However, their fundamental difference lies in how they engage with reality: although Conrad represents physical phenomena (such as fire and storm) through the sensory perception of the narrator (Marlow), he does not go beyond the framework of objective events. By contrast, Najdi, transcending the boundaries of realism, intermingles reality and fantasy, creating an imaginary creature named “Pepsi” from within a modern industrial commodity. Furthermore, Conrad employs the techniques of “narrative framing” and “delayed decoding,” whereas Najdi enters directly into the mental world of the character (Mansour). In conclusion, it can be said that Najdi has indigenized the devices of literary impressionism within a more surrealistic and poetic space, unlike Conrad, who remains committed to the representation of physical events (albeit through a sense-centered perspective).