Westernization analysis and the types of identity in novels of Servet-i Fünun

VI ABSTRACT The Westernization which is expressed as inclining of the Turkish society towards West means a historical process which lasts for centuries. The Turkish Westernization in this process has various forms and was evaluated from different point of views. In the beginning, West was imitated in order to remove the deficiencies and regression in military area. However as the time passed, with materialistic culture of West and its ideology also surrounded the Turkish Westernization. In addition to the political area, the impact of Westernization showed itself in all other socio-cultural areas including from education to family, from fashion to view for human beings. This acceleration which increased after the period of "Tanzimat / Administrative Reforms" had reached to the top in the period of "Servet-i Funun / Wealth of the Sciences". "Servet-i Funun / Wealth of the Sciences" must be evaluated as different period from the point of view of Westernization. Because this period was the scene of the arising of a generation who educated in Westernized schools and who grew up with Western style. In this period Western values could not be expressed openly because of the oppressive and censorious atmosphere of the period, Westernization and the system of values which şt has, found its reflection in literary works. Therefore, in the works of the authors of this period, Westernization has a significant place from the point of view of drawing the picture of social structure. The heroes and the leading characters of the novels dress as westerns, think as them. While the Western characters are narrated in an idealized manner, in some comparisons the East and the Eastern characters are criticized and looked down on. There is a special stress on the Western values and lives in the novels. Dances, balls, pianos as western music instruments, flirting with girls, speeches in western style et. And relationships are put forward. The Westernization as the most active and long termed social change movement of Turkish history, changed many social elements and components in the social structure. The novels of that period chose the topics from the family, education, social life, and fashion and literature subjects and evaluated them with the perspective of Westernization. In this respect, the analyzing of the novels in the period of "Servet-i Funun / Wealth of the Sciences", is very important from the point of view of both enlightening Westernization of that period and today and the relationship of society and literature and sociology of literature.