Characteristics of the Tanzimat Novel and Two Actors of Cultural Ambivalence: Felâtun Bey and Bihruz Bey

Abstract

During the period called Tanzimat, the Ottoman Empire turned its face to the West and began to emulate a world that it had defined as “the other” for hundreds of years. The correct understanding of this emulation depends on an accurate understanding of the epistemological and ideological background of westernization. In this context, evaluating period novels as the product of westernization will contribute to understanding the westernization adventure of Turkish literature in general, and in particular, the advent of the Turkish novel. Felâtun Bey, the protagonist of Ahmet Mithat Efendi's Felâtun Bey ile Râkım Efendi, and Bihruz Bey, the protagonist of Recaizade Mahmut Ekrem's Araba Sevdası, are two heroes who reflect the psychological, ideological, and epistemological status of the period. Both heroes are treated as representatives of false westernization. The most characteristic feature of Felâtun Bey and Bihruz Bey is that they cannot belong to both Turkish and western culture and civilization circles. Behind this fact lies the duality/dilemma of the Tanzimat-era intellectuals. This is the experience of being born into the world of Ottoman culture and civilization. In this study, we will examine the epistemological and psychological conditions of the period in which the two heroes live.