Trajectory of Self-Discovery in the characters: A Critical study of Rumi's vision in The Forty Rules of Love

Abstract

This study examines the unfolding journey of self-discovery in the characters from Elif Shafak’s work, The Forty Rules of Love, illuminating how the spiritual teachings of Jalaluddin Rumi shape their transformations. Framing self-discovery as both a process and a realization, the research explores the inner dimensions where seekers encounter the divine. Drawing on Rumi’s perspective on spiritualism, the study reveals how characters experience perceptual shifts and personal growth through heightened self-awareness. It identifies key forms and elements of spiritual self-discovery embedded in the text, offering a nuanced literary analysis of mystical transformation. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of Eastern spiritual traditions and provide a foundation for future scholarship on mysticism, literary spirituality, and Rumi-inspired narratives.

Keywords: Self-discovery, Rumi’s Spiritual vision, Elif Shafak, The Forty Rules of Love