The Study of the Implied Audience in Shekarestān Animation Series

Abstract

Critics have affirmed the existence of dual, double, or sometimes triple implied audiences for a single work. Therefore, the study of the implied audience in the media and literature becomes quite essential, especially if the media is to be broadcast for very young people. Shekarestān, the Iranian animated television series, broadcast on national TV channels for children and teenagers, has envisioned varied audiences within its different parts the study of which reveals the multiplex nature of its narrative as well as the narration itself. The authors have attempted to reveal how the narrative multiplicity assumes mainly double implied audiences by deploying Aidan Chambers’ theory of the implied reader as the main approach as well as that of Barbara Wall, utilizing the findings of other theoreticians of the field, too. It is hoped that the results will be useful to those who are interested in children's literature and media.