The function of time in the novels of Servet-i Fünun

This study attempts to determine the function of ?time? in the novels of Servet-i Fünun period. So far, time has been taken as one of the main parts of a novel in the context of structure, theme, language and narration and generally it has been examined according to an author. However, in this study time has been put into the centre and the doors of the novels has been opened through the perspective of time. To do this, firstly, the theoretical search about time was done. Then, in the light of the foregoing, by using a context centered approach and from a scientific point of view, time has been explored for its methods of use and functions in the novels of Servet-i Fünun.Examining effects of time inside or outside of the text and its functions within a novel made it possibşe to clearly understand the novel as a fiction, the author with his/her style, and the genre in its period. The population of the study consists of novels of Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil and Mehmet Rauf and other novels of Servet-i Fünun period as well as documents that can serve as references about the topics of narration and time.In this period when time was perceived as a definite and unbreakable unit, different methods were appplied in the plot of Turkish novels and intellectual efforts were made the esthetic and theory of novel. In the novels of Servet-i Fünun period, past, present and future were departed from each other with certain lines. Passing between the these times were done by some techniques. This shows that the authors of the era tried to establish a logical narration while they were using change of time in their novels. In the same period, authors of the same school of thought who agreed on many aspects differed from one another in terms of their perception and use of time in their work.In this respect, important developments have taken place in this era in terms of construction of novel idea and using of new novel techniques. As such, it can be seen that novels of Tanzimat period with a descriptive introduction were replaced by those that start with an action; It can be also seen that the authors went beyond imitating methods like description, detraction, refraction, and staging. Use these time methods in the fiction functioned to emphasize the thoughts and behaviors that readers focus on, to show the important events and actions, to get rid of unnecessary events, details and time, to indicate the characteristic aspects of the heroes and heroines, to narrate the events in the real time, to certain the crucial point. The authors of the period tried to give their messages in their novel by the help of time frequency and narration point density. It is also seen that use of time show the changes in characters, emphasize the characters? psychology by using place elements and tie the events together. Like in the real world, time in the novels is also chronological.It can be seen that thematic concern is the determining element in the establishment of ?action time? in the novels. This shows that the authors of the period planned their novels before writing them. In the novels of Servet-i Fünun, time takes the function of structural director.Key Words:1. Serveti Fünun Period2. Novel3. Time4. Method5. Function