Women and patriarchal discourse in the novels of Refik Halid Karay

This study, entitled Women and Patriarchal Discourse in the Novels of Refik Halid Karay, examines how the concepts of feminism and patriarchy are addressed in relation to female and male characters in the novels of Refik Halid Karay, a leading figure in Turkish literature, and explores the behaviours through which these concepts are manifested. The primary aim of this study is to examine the social structure of society, the social status of women, and the impact of patriarchal values on individuals in the novels of Karay, who witnessed the Second Constitutional Era and the early years of the Republic. The elements of patriarchal discourse present in the texts examined have been analysed through the lens of feminist theory. In the novels of Refik Halid Karay under examination, the behaviour of female characters is clearly assessed within a moral framework. In Karay’s novels, women serve as a mirror reflecting society’s process of modernisation. The women in these novels behave in accordance with the societal role of womanhood. Women who are economically dependent view marriage as financial security. However, women who step outside the gender roles shaped by cultural elements are criticised by society. The men featured in Refik Halid Karay’s works act according to their primary position within the framework of gender roles. Due to this position, men do not assume the same moral responsibilities as women. In the novels examined, male characters behave in line with traditional masculine norms. The men adopt roles such as being authoritarian, head of the family, and protector of women. In the novels, some men regard women as untrustworthy and therefore approach marriage with prejudice.