The novel title Kaptan Cemal by Hatipzade Mustafa Âkif Bey (transcription and analysis)

The novel emerged as a writing genre in the West in the form of works describing knightly adventures. Over time, examples of novels began to be written on every subject that concerned human life. In Turkish literature, there were mesnevis and folk tales that were similar to novels and stories, not in form but in subject matter. The novel in the Western senseentered our literature in the nineteenth century in the form of translations and adaptations. Later, examples of novels began to be written. The novel Captain Cemal is a work that can beconsidered among the first examples. Captain Cemal is a work written by Mustafa Akif under the influence of the modern novel approach. At the beginning of the novel, Rûmî September 1288 (Gregorian 1872) is stated as the year in which the main event takes place. The story extends to different times with flashbacks and events take place in various time periods. Sometimes the time of the events is specified as a year, sometimes as a season, and sometimes as any time of the day. In terms of theme, prominent themes in Captain Cemal include the flow of time, the relationship between the past and the present, and the effects of events. The transitions between events and details related to time arouse curiosity in the reader. The novel depicts thestruggle between good and evil within the flow of events. Narrative features keep the reader's interest and curiosity alive. Flashbacks and events in different time periods save the narrative from monotony. Moreover, the detailed descriptions of Mr. Sıdkı's farm enable the reader to visualize the situation or event in his/her mind. The variety of locations in the novel Kaptan Cemal offers the reader the opportunity to explore different geographies of the period. It can be said that the novel Captain Cemal, written by Mustafa Akif, is a reflection and one of the first steps of the modern novel, despite some technical flaws. The fact that it reflects thesocial life and cultural structure of the period, that it includes the struggle between good and evil, and that the good guys win in the end makes the novel interesting. Key Words: Modern Turkish Novel, Captain Cemal, Mustafa Âkif, Social Novel