Gender in Seray Şahiner'S works

The women's movement's aim is to reveal the main problems that women face, and to solve them. The most significant of these problems is different socialization processes of men and women. During this process, the distinction between femininity and masculinity is taught by culture, and it refers to gender identity rather than biological sex. By this means, women are suppressed and restricted. Feminist literary criticism, which emerged under the influence of feminist movement, mediates the development of a feminist perspective in order to free women from limitations. Approaching literary works from that perspective, contributes to revealing the fact that women have a literature of their own, and abolishing gender roles. Therefore, revealing these roles portrayed in literary texts is an important step for women's liberation. The most prominent theme in Seray Şahiner's oeuvre, a young writer whose works were published in 2000s, is the issue of femininity. Consequently, analyzing her works from a feminist perspective contributes to visualizing gender roles and thus reducing oppression of women. In Şahiner's works, gender roles are depicted by female characters. These roles are discussed in terms of femininity, sexuality and maternity, by which difficulties encountered in social life are transferred to fiction and resolved. The author's works have been analyzed in the light of feminist theory, considering that literature might contribute to change internalized attitudes and behaviors.