Thematical examination of Aslı Tohumcu's novels

Aslı Tohumcu, one of the prominent authors of contemporary Turkish literature, has produced works in a variety of literary genres, ranging from novels and short stories to anthologies and children's books. This study, titled "A Thematic Analysis of Aslı Tohumcu's Novels", focuses on the author's identity as a novelist, which stands out in the literary field. It analyzes six of her novels: Yok Bana Sensiz Hayat (2006), Taş Uykusu (2011), Ölü Reşat (2014), Durmadan Leyla (2017), Kötü Kalp (2020), and Aç Koynunu, Ben Geldim (2023). Themes such as gender roles and femininity, moral perception, violence, justice, superstition, tradition, and modernism, which are prominently featured in Tohumcu's novels, are examined in the light of critical theories and literary analysis methods. The inner worlds of the characters are analyzed along with the language and narrative techniques, shedding light on the author's literary perspective regarding female identity, individual-society relations, and critiques of the social structure. These prominent themes also provide significant clues in tracing the individual and societal transformations depicted in the novels. The aim of this study is to examine Tohumcu's novels through scientific methods in order to explore the themes, characters, and settings, as well as to delve into broader reflections on art, literature, and language. Furthermore, the study investigates the sources that feed the novels and their formal characteristics. Apart from the "Introduction" and "Conclusion" sections, the thesis is composed of three main chapters. The method followed in this study centers on the author's perspective and seeks to reveal how the aforementioned issues are handled throughout the novels.