Forough

Forough Farrokhzad is the narrator and main character of Darnik's novel; her narration is based off the life of Iranian poet and political activist Forough Farrokhzad, who lived through some of the most tumultuous political upheavals in Iran (1935-67). In Song of a Captive Bird, Darnik imagines the whole of Forough's life, from her time as a daughter and young poet to her career as a political activist and international artist. In this way, Song of a Captive Bird functions as a kunstlerroman, or a coming of age story of an artist. Throughout the novel, the reader sees Forough's development as both a woman and an artist, fighting against the patriarchal oppression engrained in Iran's culture and eventually emerging as a champion of female independence.

Although Forough is rebellious from the novel's beginnings, setting up secret meeting with Parviz against the culture's dictums, she is originally more submissive...