An analysis of Müge İplikçi's novels through feminist literary criticism

This study focuses on Müge İplikçi, a contemporary author-researcher who, through her works, opposes male discourse by presenting "women's literature." İplikçi discusses women's issue and their current status in society. Her novels highlight women's struggles to discover their identities, their rebellion against gender regimes, their submission to the system and established order under the influence of the belief in fate. İplikçi places not only the social positions and roles of women but also their roles in interpersonal relationships at the center of her narratives. In this context, İplikçi's novels provide significant potential for analysis through the lens of feminist literary criticism. This thesis offers an overview of feminism and feminist literary criticism and interprets the reflections of feminist literary criticism in İplikçi's novels, based on the views of various theorists and feminist writers. The core of this thesis lies in examining the social-cultural pressures experienced by female characters in patriarchal societies, the negative discrimination they face in family, education, and professional life due to biological gender differences, the gendered roles and responsibilities imposed on women, and their struggle for existence against both patriarchal culture and the individuals perpetuating it. On December 6, 2024, an interview was conducted with Müge İplikçi regarding the feminist findings in her novels. This interview sheds light on the evaluations of her novels within the framework of feminist literary criticism. Keywords: Müge İplikçi, women, feminism, feminist literary criticism, Turkish literature, novel.