On Artistic Incarnation of Culture, Literature, and National Characters in James Morier’s Travel Books

Abstract

The article discusses the issues of literary incarnation of culture, literature and national
characters based on the materials of the Travel books by James Morier. One of the most important strategies of modern comparative literary criticism and literary connections is the study of the culture and
literature of national characters found their literary incarnation in Western literature. The article claims
that the English diplomat and writer James Morier (1780-1849) during his diplomatic service in Iran comprehensively studied the life, history, culture, including literary monuments of the Azerbaijani people.
His work Travel books is a collection of historical facts relating to culture and literature, and testifies to a
deep knowledge of the subject of research. All this is of great interest to modern science, one of the main
directions of Azerbaijani studies. James Morier’s book “Travels” presents specific historical figures or
persons who add national color, clarity and accuracy to a reliable understanding of the historical events
of the first half of the 19th century. One of the notable aspects of “Travels” is a vivid manifestation of
descriptions and statements of cultural monuments and literature of the Azerbaijani people.
The article is devoted to Azerbaijani topics in the context of literary relations. The study reveals all
references and discoveries related to the most important aspects of the cultural and literary life of the
Azerbaijani people. The article analyzes the reflection of national images and major historical events,
their comprehensive study and implementation, performed by James Morier in his “Travels” At the same
time, the author of the article is not limited only to this novel, but also attracts other works of the outstanding English writer to study.
The author’s study emphasizes that James Morier proved himself in “Travels” not only as a traveler,
diplomat and representative of the English embassy, but also as a gifted 19th century realist writer. This
is evidenced by all his descriptions of travels through the territory of Persia, which are factual material
for identifying the Azerbaijani concept. In his work, James Morier devoted particular attention to the
description of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, spread throughout Persia and originating from
Azerbaijani culture. The author of the study also reveals evidence that the holy book was known due to
a copy made by a certain Jamaz who was a student of Zoroaster. In this article, the author reports that
the topic under study was first presented to the scientific community.