@article{2019,title={SOCIALIST REALISM AND PROPAGANDA-ANTIPROPAGANDA IN LITERATURE: MAXIM GORKY'S MOTHER},abstractNode={The effect of literature on societies is an indisputable fact. This effect can sometimes be used not only as a tool for propaganda by a system of government, but also as a tool for antipropaganda by the opposition to the existing system. Literature has always been classified into certain movements in line with the criteria used and the nature of the interaction within the sociological structure in which it was formed. These trends may vary according to the type of text, the period in which it is handled, the geographical, political, economic and religious structure behind it. The movement of socialist realism discussed in this study has its own characteristics, as well. Having emerged in Russia, socialist realism is a reflection of the political structure of the period on literature. In this article, the formation process of the movement, important authors and reflections in the literary environment will be exemplified. The influence of the movement on society and the use of literature as a means of propaganda and antipropaganda will be examined by means of examples selected from Mother by Maxim Gorky, an important author of the period and considered a pioneer in the formation of socialist realism. In this article, the importance of spiritual dialectic, which is a very important concept in the socialist realist movement, will be discussed through the heroes in the work. It will be emphasized that the use of spiritual dialectic as a propaganda tool in the transformation of society and the individual. Thus, negative and positive effects of literature on systems of government will be discussed. In other words, while discussing the potential of literature to manipulate society under certain systems of government and ideologies, this article will also emphasize literature’s role in shaping the system. In addition, Gorky’s novel will be approached from a different angle while the socialist realist movement will be discussed accordingly.},author={Reşat YILDIZ},year={2019},journal={Turkish Studies - Language and Literature}}