The book uniquely shows the inseparable relationship between the philosophical question of the quest for a genuine self and the ongoing development of western tragedy which the author calls regressive progression. It positively evaluates the particular approach of the late modern tragic characters through the lens of the author's own cultural background, bringing some evidence from Persian mystic (Sufi) poetry which reflects the concept of rejoicing suffering, self-annihilation, and finally self-realization. This way, the so-called absurdity labeled for late modern and postmodern plays can positively be replaced by a meaningful term which might be called "Ennobling Absence".