Analysis of Efruz Bey, the work of Ömer Seyfeddin, in the political and social framework of The Second Constitutional Period

Ömer Seyfeddin (1884-1920); is one of the significant figures in the history of Turkish literature, who, besides being best known as a story writer, also stands out with his linguistic and intellectual personality. Witnessing the last years of Ottoman Empire, struggling with battles, the author contributed to the process of the construction of Turkish nationalism by adopting the idea of freedom based on nationalist principles; and also formed his literature in accordance with his world view. The author?s work, called Efruz Bey, is a parody of a type of ?half-intellectual? appeared within the atmosphere of the Second Constitutional Era. Ömer Seyfeddin, always putting the public interest before self-interest, criticized and parodized the people, who attempts to get a place and reputation by emphasizing their ?intellectual? identity and give priority to their self-interest within the so-called ?free? atmosphere of the era, by using his Efruz Bey character. In this thesis, the author?s novel, Efruz Bey, is analysed by taking the political and social issues of the period into consideration. The effects of the social dynamics of the Second Constitutional Era on especially some of the ?half-intellectuals? constitute the focus of this work.