Moving from monarchy to the modern

The reforms of the Sultanate period, though major, pale in insignificance with the wide-ranging and fast pace of reforms instituted in the Republican era by Atatürk. Society changed rapidly, almost overnight, as old institutions were swept away, people learned to dress differently, to read and write a new alphabet and became citizens instead of subjects.

We can read about social history in textbooks. But I enjoy reading about it in stories or watching it on films.

Not only in Turkey, but elsewhere, the idea of love, duty and women’s role in society seem to be ongoing issues. Just as Jane Austen addressed certain social issues of Britain in the early 19th century, so did John Galsworthy for the late 19th and early 20th century.

Have you ever read any of John Galsworthy’s books or perhaps, even more popular, seen the BBC series of “The Forsyte Saga”? Galsworthy addressed these issues in England in a series of novels: “The Man of Property “(1906), “Indian Summer of a Forsyte” (1918), “In Chancery” (1920), “Awakening” (1920) and “To Let” (1921). “The Forsyte Saga” is a collective title of the BBC series, made in 1967, which proved to be a marathon dramatization and very popular.

In “The Forsyte Saga,” Galsworthy deals with the vicissitudes of the leading members of the Forsyte family in a humorous and pathos manner. The main character, Soames Forsyte, is an upper-middle-class type of businessmen. Soames sees himself as a “man of property,” by virtue of his ability to accumulate material possessions, but this does not succeed in bringing him pleasure. His wife, in particular, suffered from their marriage. In succeeding volumes we read the story of the next generations and how social attitudes changed.

I was reminded of “The Forsyte Saga” recently when I picked up a copy of “A Portrait of a Turkish Family” by Irfan Orga. This covers about the same period in Istanbul (1880 to 1930) as “The Forsyte Saga” covers in London. The change of life, opportunity, attitudes and expectations from generation to generation reflects the general changes in society, as well as major reforms.

Esra from İstanbul dropped me a note to comment on the article about Jane Austen. She writes: “…I have seen ‘Pride and Prejudice’ on BBC, starring Colin Firth. It was fascinating. When we watch old Turkish films we observe the same behavior. For instance, girls never say ‘I love you’ because of their pride. There are lots of similarities and differences, but as you say ‘to be universal’ is the main point, I think…”

Dear Esra: Thank you for your comments. If you enjoy Jane Austen, you will equally enjoy John Galsworthy and his insights and understanding of human nature. I would also like to share some information on other books that you and other Today’s Zaman readers might enjoy.

You will find the book, “The Ottoman Lady: A Social History from 1718 to 1918”(hardcover) particularly useful if you are interested in the position of upper-class women on Islamic society, and in comparative women’s studies in general. The book sells for $120.95. (This is not a typo! Maybe only those with access to a great free-lending library can read this book.)

Author Fanny Davis provides insight into the lives of Ottoman ruling-class women. She also discusses the lives of middle-class women intellectuals -- Halide Edip being the most famous -- who were beginning to emerge in the late 19th and early 20th centuries under the impact of westernization. All facets of the Ottoman lady’s life from childbirth, to illness, old age, and death are explored. If you live abroad check it out at the public library, if you don’t want to spend $120 on a book!

Irfan Orga’s popular autobiography, “Portrait of a Turkish Family,” is a story of three generations of a prosperous Turkish family. This book is more affordable -- less than $20. It is an amazing story of family life, set against the backdrop of Turkish social change.

Tomorrow I will give you some more tips of good reads on Turkish social history.