Bigotry and Superstition in the Stories of Omer Seyfettin

Positivism and materialism are the most effective thought systems that enable the West to re- develop the mind in the light of science by dissolving the scholastic thought that led to the darkness of the Middle Ages. Especially positivism and positive sciences have come into prominence as the most influential factor in the change of mentality of Turkish intellectuals since the end of the 19th century. The rapid social change process that began with the Tanzimat period also caused serious social conflicts from this period onwards. In this period, when people who have closed their mindsets to innovations and modern ideas, and began to attribute sacredness to some traditional habits, the situation have brought along some social conflicts and problems. Some interest groups which were aware of the religious sensitivities of the Turkish society, have continued to gain material and moral profit for centuries by using this weakness of the society. Accordingly, the most important obstacles for the society to gain religious consciousness were these interest groups. Since the late nineteenth century, when positive ideas began to play an important role in their mentality, Turkish intellectuals, who considered religious pressures and superstitions to be the greatest obstacle to social progress, have made a serious effort to raise public awareness. For this reason, bigotry and superstitions caused social failures that constitute a serious material fort he literary works of the period. Ömer Seyfettin is an influential writer who in his stories mocked the devastation caused by bigotry and superstition. In this study, by trying to analyse the stories of Ömer Seyfettin who often criticized sarcastically by centering on bigotry and superstition, the author's thoughts on the subject were tried to be put forward.

Keywords

Modern Turkish Literature, Ömer Seyfettin, Story, Bigotry, Superstition, Positivism