Halide Edip Adıvar and Her Perception of the ‘New Woman’ Identity

The prolific Turkish writer, journalist, pioneer feminist, nationalist and educator, Halide Edip Adıvar, lived in the transition period (late 19th and early 20th century) of the Ottoman Empire from tradition into modernity, in which there were lots of struggles and deep-seated conflicts, especially concerning ‘the new women identity’. Even in such a depressing period, Halide Edip Adıvar achieved lots of things in an eighty-year lifetime and was acknowledged widely both in Turkey and abroad. Besides struggling against the traditional dictations of her patriarchal society, she dedicated herself into the battle of her nation and female descendants for life and liberty. She was the ‘Jeanne D’Arc of Turks’, but never ceased to be aware of the moral and cultural facts of her time while realizing her aims. Considering these facts, this study focuses on the basis of Halide Edip Adıvar’s perceptions on the female identity formation and the ways of constructing the ‘new modern Turkish woman identity’ throughout the conflicts and crises of her own society. Then, basing its arguments on the feminist approach and the mental attitudes appropriate to the historical contexts of the mentioned period, it is proved that the patriarchal system and its dictations based on religion and moral values play an important role in the ‘new woman identity’ formation process, and pose an obstacle against women in their search to accomplish their self-esteems and independent women identities.