Multidisciplinary Journal of Science and Technology

Storytelling in Turkish Literature

Usmanova Nodira Lutfullayevna

Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies

Keywords: Turkish literature, storytelling, oral tradition, Dede Korkut, Ottoman literature, Tanzimat, modern novel, Orhan Pamuk, Elif Şafak, cultural identity

Abstract

Turkish literature boasts a rich storytelling tradition, spanning centuries and encompassing diverse genres, from oral folk tales to modern novels. Rooted in the cultural and historical contexts of the Turkic peoples, this tradition reflects a blend of nomadic heritage, Islamic influences, and interactions with neighboring civilizations. Early storytelling, primarily oral, included epic narratives like the Dede Korkut tales and folk stories such as Karagöz and Hacivat. With the advent of written literature in the Ottoman era, genres like mesnevi poetry and travelogues emerged, while the 19th-century Tanzimat reforms introduced the novel, influenced by Western literary forms. Modern Turkish literature, shaped by authors like Orhan Pamuk and Elif Şafak, explores themes of identity, history, and modernity, maintaining storytelling’s role as a mirror of societal change. This article examines the evolution of storytelling in Turkish literature, highlighting key works, authors, and cultural influences that have shaped its narrative traditions.

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