Abstract:

The novel originated as a new genre in Turkish literature during the ‘reform era’, and developed from the classic and traditional narrations, which had existed the novel itself before such as epic, fairy tale, mesnevi, folk tale etc. Classical and traditional narrations with their contents, formats, motifs have frequently played a part in novels. It is clearly seen that modern authors take advantage of the this tradition and practice. Throughout centuries the adventures of Keloglan can be found not only in Turkish fairy tales but also other nation’s tales with different names and similar features. When Atcalı Kel Mehmet Efe’s life is compared to Keloglan’s life and adventures, a great many similarities stands out in respect to both of the characters’ family lives, personal characteristics, and their attitudes towards life. Atcalı Kel Mehmet Efe was born in Aydin, and he literally forms a milestone in the concept of ‘Efelik, a term to describe people who are against the order of law enforcement and who are the leaders of “zeybeks”. What made Atcalı Kel Mehmet Efe a prominent character was his leading a riot that started as a social uprise and called “Aydin Revolution” with the aim of seizing the control of the local administration of Aydin. His followers and he were successful at their attempt for a short time. The adventures of Atcalı Kel Mehmet Efe has drawn the novelist’ attention, too. His life has been subjects to their novels. In this study, just after stating the summaries of the tales relating to Atcalı Kel Mehmet Efe, Turkish novel will focus on the place of traditional narrative, by putting emphasis on the structures and the qualities of Keloglan narrations. Then, the common factors which are in the narrations of Atcalı Kel Mehmet Efe and Keloglan the fact that they are peasant, bald, orphan, they make ends meet, they are clever, they have ingenuity, they are helpful, they achieve their goals in the end etc. will be dealt with a comparative method based upon a text thoroughly. The findings which are obtained will also be placed in the conclusion. The purpose of the research is to determine the reflections of classical and traditional narrations on modern narrations by putting forward the similarities between novel and tales which are two different kind of narration

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