Abstract :
Fatih-Harbiye is a novel which addresses the Turkish modernization/Westernization process beginning from the Tanzimat era and the repentance during this process with both individual and social aspects. The novel tackles the effects of Westernization through the relationship between Şinasi and his fiancée Neriman, the daughter of Faiz Bey who stands out as a highbrow man adherent to Turkish traditions. The effects in question are dealt with social and cultural perspectives on a line from individual to society via several elements, i.e., the characters’ states of mind, conflicts, loneliness, remorse, depersonalization, social alienation, identity confusion and questioning. The novel also includes idealist characters adherent to national and moral values, showing up with their own identities against materialism/ worldliness. In the novel, wrong Westernization, East-West conflict, and the conflict between these two civilizations are presented from several viewpoints in detail with both concepts and symbols. This study aims to examine the structural and thematic construct of the novel Fatih-Harbiye and to unfold the perception of Westernization, the crisis and compunction starting with new values and developments among Turkish people. The study also examines the Turkish people’s infatuation with the West, their desire to imitate Westerners and to be somebody else, and the state of being able/unable to be oneself.
NaturalLanguageKeyword :
Peyami Safa , East , West conflict , Wrong Westernization , Music
