Ones At The Threshold (Two Children Types at The End of Both Sides Of Westernization: Ömer And Şermin)

Westernization,which is an aproach which aims to reach to social and scientific of perception of the Western Europe, has arised in Opttoman Emipre and took quite different dimensions in Republican Turkey. This idea firstly appeared as moderate in Ottoman times, in addition to this sometimes appeared in different dimensions which critize our radical-traditional cultural elements and become opposed to them. In this context, firstly problems in the social and political order has been tried to overcome, and then small-scale reform movements, works of out of government groups suggesting that connection of reforms with modernity project is essential, finally transformation of empire to nation-state has complated by disperse of the empire. Tanzimat period was quite tricky for Ottoman Empire which has experienced these phases. “West” which was managed to be handled especially in social life, art and literature contexts, colud find a way for itself. Westernization had started to be experienced more radical and French literature was taken as sample for art and literature in Servet-i Fünun (Fortune of Sciences) period ,which was following Tanzimat period. In this respect, the Tanzimat is more Eastern when compared with Servet-i Fünun, than there are two intellectual types remained in this period: first ones are confused intellectuals of the second period of Tanzimat and seconds are the ones who were trying to be as a Westerner. These two types of intellectuals tried to live and keep alive their own perception of “West”; dreamed next generation in this direction. In that case, looking at perception of Muallim Naci, one of the artists of second period of Tanzimat, who appears more Westerner and perception of westerner Tevfik Fikret about children, may be more significant to figure out how they drew a future from two different fronts. In our study a comparison of these two point of views will be practiced and basises of this comparison are two works: Ömer’in Çocukluğu (Omar’s Chilhood) of Muallim Naci and Şermin of Tevfik Fikret. With this method, chilhood of Muallim Naci which might be caused him to be mixed up in an affair and childhood of Fikret which might give birth to Haluk can be observed.

Keywords

Westernization, Tevfik Fikret, Şermin, Muallim Naci, Ömer’in Çocukluğu.