Identity Crisis in Fataneh Haj Seyed Javadi’s Drunkard Morning and Annie Ernaux’s The Frozen Woman from Erikson’s Perspective

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of French Language and Literature, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

2 PhD Student, Department of French Language and Literature, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Identity crisis is a fundamental and complex psychological issue that holds particular significance during psychosocial development, especially in adolescence. Erik H. Erikson’s eight-stage theory, emphasizing the interaction between biological and social factors, provides a theoretical framework for understanding this crisis. This study analyzes the identity crisis in two prominent novels: Drunkard Morning by Fataneh Haj Seyed Javadi and The Frozen Woman by Annie Ernaux. Although these works are set in two distinct cultural-historical contexts, both depict the identity challenges faced by women confronting social structures. The findings reveal that the main characters in both novels are situated in the fifth stage of Erikson’s theory, “Identity vs. Role Confusion,” and encounter multiple internal and external conflicts on their path toward forming their identity. This study highlights the crucial role of family, society, and culture in the identity formation process and demonstrates how literature can reflect individual and social psychological crises. The results contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of individual and social identity across diverse cultural contexts and provide a foundation for future interdisciplinary research.

Highlights

This research contributes to literary and psychological scholarship by bridging theory and narrative to enhance comprehension of identity crises in multicultural contexts. It underscores literature’s role as a crucial observer and reflector of psychosocial realities, offering a textured and empathetic lens through which to view identity struggles and gender dynamics. The findings emphasize the importance of considering cultural specificity when applying psychosocial theories of development. Finally, the study advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration in future research to more holistically address identity formation’s complexity and foster dialog across cultural and academic boundaries.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Persian Language and Literature
Volume 79, Issue 253 - Serial Number 253
Spring–Summer 2026
July 2026
Pages 245-270

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 30 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 21 December 2025
  • Publish Date: 22 June 2026

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