Hailing and Hallowing: Persian Hagiographies, Interpellation, and Learning How to Read

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

As a scholar in Islamic hagiography and hagiology), I found  that applying the concept of “interpellation” to the study of Islamic (in this case, Persian) medieval hagiography is an idea of great scientific interest for scholars working in a wide range of different fields, from literary criticism to history of religious ideas, from pedagogy to social history, up to scholars of Islamic hagiography itself. This approach may provide fresh and fruitful insights on the history of religious 'audiences' in different times and spaces, thus contributing a great deal to a better and more articulated understanding of the relations between religious ideas and social contexts. In the same time, I would strongly recommend the author(s) make it clearer that this is an approach more, i.e. that it can prove extremely useful provided that it is not intended as 'replacing' other dimensions of the study of hagiography. 

Author Response

I thank the reviewer for their generous reading of this article and the helpful suggestion that I clarify that my approach to hagiology/hagiography is intended as a supplement to—rather than as a replacement of—other approaches in the field. The article now reflects this important point. 

Reviewer 2 Report

This is a charming paper. Fundamentally, it offers an account and template for the teaching of a hagiographical vignette or, perhaps better, an apothegm. However, in a parallel move, the author also offers a discussion of how hagiographical literature may form its own readers, in that it inducts them to a hermeneutic of holiness, a means of interpreting religious behaviour (even against the grain) whereby holiness may be deciphered beyond orthodox speech towards an emotional authenticity.

The theoretical underpinning -- "appellation" -- is lightly drawn and is perfectly effective. 

The vignette from Rumi which is chosen for a close (and pedagogical) reading is rich in its allusions, and these are brought out well by the author, exploring the various levels to the tale in a clear and structured fashion. 

Author Response

I am appreciative of this reviewer's generous review. Thank you!