Biography
A Pioneering Poet
Born on January 5, 1935, in the vibrant city of Tehran, Iran, Foroogh Farrokhzaad's arrival preceded a time when social liberation for women was a distant dream in many parts of the world. To some Iranian women, Farrokhzaad emerged as a beacon, igniting a movement toward self-expression and empowerment. Had she lived in America, her deeply personal poetry would surely have been striking; yet, crafting such works as an Iranian woman was nothing short of revolutionary. She broke barriers as the first poet to articulate the intricacies of Iranian life from a woman’s viewpoint.
Early Life and Isolation
Amidst a family of seven children, Farrokhzaad found herself married to her cousin, Parviz Shapur, at the tender age of sixteen—a union fraught with familial disapproval. By 1954, their marriage dissolved, leaving her separated from her son Kamyar, who remained with her husband's family. This separation marked the beginning of her social alienation, casting her into solitude.
Emergence of a Unique Voice
Out of this solitude sprang Farrokhzaad’s initial anthology of poems, "Asir" ("the captive" or "the prisoner"), unveiled to the world in 1955 when she was merely twenty. Although her work faced severe criticism from the patriarchal society, it resonated powerfully with women, who eagerly consumed her verses. That same year, she grappled with a mental breakdown, embarking on a nine-month journey across Europe in search of healing and a fresh perspective. Her travels enriched her insight, particularly about women's lives in Europe. It was during this period that she penned poems later published in 1956 as Divaar ("the wall"), a collection dedicated to her ex-husband revealing the constraints of her expected roles.
Love and Literary Evolution
Critics often note a persistent yearning for love threading through Farrokhzaad's poetry. This longing found partial solace in her relationship with Iranian writer and filmmaker Ibrahim Golestan, whom she met in 1958. Despite Golestan's married status, their affair endured until her untimely demise, further distancing her from societal norms. Yet, her evolving poetry, echoing her life’s transformations, captivated an ever-growing audience.
Rebellion and Creative Ventures
The year 1958 saw Farrokhzaad release her third poetry collection, Esian ("rebellion"), while collaborating with Golestan on various cinematic projects, including The House is Black, a poignant adaptation about a leper colony. During this filming, she adopted a child named Hassan from the colony, bringing him into her life in Iran. Correspondence released by Hassan’s biological father after Farrokhzaad's passing revealed her as a nurturing mother through her heartfelt letters.
Legacy of "A Rebirth"
Farrokhzaad’s fourth poetic offering, A Rebirth, found its way to the United States in 1985, though originally published in 1964 in Iran as Tavallodi Digar. With this collection, critics agree, she fully embraced her authentic voice. As David Martin, the translator of A Rebirth, noted in his introduction, her premature death at thirty-two robbed the literary world of her potential and unfinished genius.
An Untimely Farewell
On the fateful day of February 14, 1967, Farrokhzaad hurriedly left her mother’s house, only to swerve her jeep to avoid an oncoming bus, resulting in a tragic crash that ended her life. Her passing silenced a resonant voice for Iranian women and, as Martin lamented, all those in Iran striving to engage with the modern world.
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