Othering in Turkish novels of the Atatürk period (1923-1938)

This study examines the phenomenon of "othering" in Turkish novels written during the Atatürk period. The novels published between 1923 and 1940 reveal the role of literature in the nation-building process of the newly established Republic of Turkey. In the works of this period, it is observed that, under the influence of nationalist and modernization-oriented ideologies, a distinction between "us" and "them" was constructed within society. In the thesis, individuals and groups that are othered in the novels are analyzed in terms of ethnic identity, religious belief, cultural differences, and political views, and the reflections of this discrimination within the literary structure are examined. Within this framework, the works of authors such as Halide Edib Adıvar, Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoğlu, Reşat Nuri Güntekin, and Peyami Safa have been included in the scope of the analysis. The findings indicate that in early Republican novels, othering functions not only as a social and political phenomenon but also as a literary device shaping the fictional structure of the text. The study is structured around interpretation. It is based on analytical methods that examine texts within the context of their period, author, and work. During the interpretive process, relevant books, theses, and articles about the novels discussed were consulted, and the analysis was supported by direct references from these sources.