Social themes in Kaan Arslanoğlu's novels

The relationship between society and people appears in the field of literature as in other disciplines. The existence of these two concepts is interdependent. Literature also takes its subject from human being and society of which s/he is a part. The authors also quite often deal with the relationship between literature and society in their manuscripts. Undoubtedly, it is seen that the social dimension of literature is focused more comprehensively in the genre of novel compared to other literary genres. Therefore, novel studies are given priority in determining social themes. Many novelists in Turkish literature have included social issues in their manuscripts. One of these examples is Kaan Arslanoğlu, a recent writer. Arslanoğlu has been no stranger to both the worldview he has defended and the society he was a part of. In his books, he frequently expresses the problems people experience along with the social dimension. Especially in Arslanoğlu's novels, it is obvious that many social issues including state-society, society-individual, political events and economic issues take place. Just like other writers, Kaan Arslanoğlu wrote novels, getting the inspiration from the society he lived in. Social, economic and historical conditions of the society in which Arslanoğlu lived played an important role in the formation of his artistic identity. Both his political identity and the problems of the society he lives in are important details that make him known for his unique style. Kaan Arslanoğlu's novels are important because they convey the social structure of the period and the relations between people. In this context, the examination of all novels in order to approach the social themes that he deals with in his novels in a holistic way will yield a healthier result. In this dissertation, novels, chosen as a part of our study will be examined under three main headings apart from the introduction and conclusion sections. In the first part, the relationship between literature and society and the reflections of this relationship on the novel will be evaluated. The second part of our study consists of Kaan Arslanoğlu's life story, works and understanding of art. In the third part of our study, the social themes interwoven in Kaan Arslanoğlu's novels will be identified. The novels in the scope of this study are Yoldaki İşaretler (2005), Çağrısız Hayalim (1992), Devrimciler (1988), İntihar (1999), Karşıdevrimciler (2008), Kayıp Devrimin Öncesinde (2013), Kimlik (1989), Kişilikler (1997), Kuş Bakışı (2006), Memleketimden Karakter Manzaraları (2006), Öteki Kayıp (1998), Reenkarnasyon Kulübü, (2011), Sessizlik Kuleleri 2084 (2007). In the final part of this dissertation, the inferences obtained will be clarified. Keywords: Kaan Arslanoğlu, novel, sociology of literature, society, social themes.