Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi

Öz

The stories and novels of Orhan Kemal, one of the socialist realist writers,
are also worth considering in terms of 'shame' and 'revenge'. In this article, in which
descriptive analysis method is used and René Girard’s ‘triangular’ desire model is applied,
the literary texts of the author based on narration are read with a focus on the concepts of
shame and revenge. In addition to the causes and qualities of these emotional forms, the
identity of the embarrassing subject is emphasized. In the fictional worlds Orhan Kemal
built, people are often ashamed of their poverty and helplessness. However, there are also
people who are ashamed of their physical appearance and the behaviors of family
members that do not comply with social moral norms. In Orhan Kemal's words, these "little"
people seek various "salvation" ways to reverse the current situation. These people see
leaving as a way out of their painful and humiliating situation. Especially when they go to
Istanbul, everything will turn upside down; they will overcome the poverty that makes them
helpless, they will gain money and therefore reputation. When they come back, their
friends, neighbors and every member of the society will be surprised, who once saw
themselves as shameful and worthless; they will also taste the pleasure of taking 'revenge'.
However, the desire of these 'little people' to leave, their escape/salvation plans and their
magnificent return remain unrealized visions and dreams. In addition, Orhan Kemal does
not idealize people who struggle with poverty and have to do many things in this struggle;
it does not present a pure 'victim' to the reader. As a realist writer, Orhan Kemal
comprehends all aspects of his characters as an individual; does not hide their
weaknesses and contradictions from the reader.