Analysis of representation of motherhood in the novels of women writers in Turkish literature with feminist theories: Aysel Özakın, Erendiz Atasü, Peride Celal, Sevgi Soysal

This research determined, how the representations of motherhood in the novels of Aysel Özakın, Erendiz Atasü, Peride Celal and Sevgi Soysal are processed has been discussed and these representations have been analyzed by feminist theories. In this context, two books of each author were considered, and the novels were evaluated using the qualitative content analysis technique. These novels are: Tante Rosa, Yürümek, Genç Kız ve Ölüm, Alnında Mavi Kuşlar, Üç Yirmidört Saat, Güz Şarkısı, Bir Yaşdönümü Rüyası ve Güneş Saygılı'nın Gerçek Yaşamı. This study aims to is to reveal how the phenomenon of motherhood, which is a controversial issue, is processed through literary texts together with feminist theories. In this way, it has been determined how the authors examined are influenced by feminist theories (liberal, existentialist, radical). At the same time, the development of the concept of motherhood, its history, and the discussions of feminist theories on this issue has been included in the relevant literature. Along with the identification of thematic analysis units, the research data are divided into six themes. These themes are; Motherhood Questioning Patriarchy, Stereotypes about Motherhood and Femininity under the title Motherhood Reinforcing Patriarchy, Mother-Child (Daughter) Relationships, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Birth Control and Abortion and Stepmotherhood. As a result of the researches, it was determined that the effects of existential feminism and radical feminism were seen more in the novels examined, while the effect of liberal feminism was limited.