Turkish novel of Tanzimat period from occidental viewpoint

Tanzimat has an important place in Turkish life because of the changes and developments which occurred in politics, society and literature. Tanzimat Literature exists by taking Occidental Literature as its model. The Literal changes are aimed at the Occident, especially French Literature. The authors, stuck between the Orident and the Occident, reflect their dilemma to their works, too. Therefore, our literature is between Oridental and Occidental cultures. The artist who think the same as Western people but live like Eastern people grow distant from the old literature in the course of time.The main theme of Tanzimat novels is ?Occidentalization?. The changes in Ottoman social structure in XIX. Century affect Turkish people on a large scale. The function which novel undertakes in this period should be taken into consideration. The novel taken from the Occident begins to be used as a means of modernization. Tanzimat novelists, who regard novel as a means of eduction and occidentalization, not only want to become Occident while being devoted to Oriental values but also accept occidentalization as inclining towards Oriental zalues at the same time. Therefore, autors have a ?cultural dilemma?. In this process, changes occur in both state structure and society?s cultural values. Dilemmas occur especially in morals, sorts of individuals, eduction system, traditions, enjoyment and social life.Key Words: Tanzimat, Occidentalization, Literature, Novel, Society