comparative study of the image of women in the novels of annie ernaux and zoya pirzad: an evolutionary perspective

Objective: women's movements have significantly transformed societal structures, with literature serving as a powerful medium to reflect and critique these changes. this study examines the portrayal of women in the works of two distinct yet thematically aligned authors—french writer annie ernaux and iranian novelist zoya pirzad—both of whom explore the struggles, constraints, and evolving identities of women in their respective societies. methods: employing an analytical and descriptive approach, this study investigates the social and psychological dimensions of female protagonists in ernaux's a woman's story and a frozen woman and pirzad's things we left unsaid. the narratives, often semi-autobiographical, function as mirrors of women's lived realities, addressing themes of autonomy, societal expectations, and gender dynamics. results: the analysis highlights the significance of female representation in literature, contrasting the protagonists' experiences within french and iranian cultural contexts. by examining evolutionary psychology and gender equality, the study reveals both parallels and divergences in how these authors depict women's struggles for self-definition amid patriarchal structures. conclusions: this comparative study not only enriches understanding of feminist literature across cultures but also emphasizes the universality of women's quest for identity and equality.