The Theme of Exile in V. S. Naipaul's Half a Life

Year 2024, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 209 - 229, 29.04.2024

Zamire İzzetgil

https://doi.org/10.29110/soylemdergi.1421503

Abstract

The concept of exile is extensively addressed in the field of literature as well as in different disciplines of the social sciences. In the field of literature and literary studies, exile is depicted through various genres of fiction and plays an important role in the works of writers from different historical, linguistic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. Indian writers who have merged into the mainstream of English literature have also given considerable focus to the theme of exile in their literary works. One of these writers, V. S. Naipaul, as an intellectual who has experienced exile, creatively explores themes of exile, displacement, alienation, identity, homelessness, and rootlessness. Through fictional characters such as Willie Somerset Chandran in Half a Life (2001), the author shows how individuals in the Third World try to survive in a complex, multicultural world. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyse V. S. Naipaul’s protagonist, Willie Chandran Somerset’s experience of exile in alien lands, taking into account the views and approaches of significant critics and scholars such as Edward Said, Abraham Maslow, Burke, and Stets. The study also aims to show how exile offers the protagonist the opportunity to explore the true state from a wider perspective.

Keywords

Exile, Displacement, Naipaul, Half a Life, Willie Somerset Chandran.

V. S. Naıpaul’ın Half a Life Eserinde Sürgün İzleği

Abstract

Sürgün kavramı sosyal bilimlerin farklı disiplinlerinde olduğu gibi edebiyat alanında da yoğun şekilde ele alınmaktadır. Sürgün, edebiyat ve edebi araştırmalar alanında çeşitli kurgu türleri aracılığıyla anlatılır ve farklı tarihsel, dilsel, kültürel ve etnik kökenlerden gelen yazarların yapıtlarında önemli rol oynamaktadır. İngiliz edebiyatının ana akımına karışan Hintli yazarlar da çalışmalarında sürgün izleğine geniş şekilde yer vermektedirler. Bu yazarlardan biri olan V. S. Naipaul daha önce sürgün deneyimini yaşamış entelektüel olarak yapıtlarında sürgün, yerinden edinme, yabancılaşma, kimlik ve köksüzlük gibi temaları yaratıcı bir şekilde ele almaktadır. Yazar, Half a Life (2001) eserinde Willie Somerset Chandran gibi kurgusal karakterler aracığıyla Üçüncü Dünya’daki bireylerin karmaşık, çok kültürlü bir dünyada nasıl hayatta kalmaya çalıştıklarını sergilemektedir. Dolayısıyla bu çalışmanın amacı V. S. Naipaul’un kahramanı Willie Chandran Somerset’in yabancı topraklardaki sürgün deneyimi Edward Said, Abraham Maslow, Burke ve Stets gibi önemli eleştirmenlerin görüşleri ve yaklaşımları dikkate alınarak incelemeyi esas almaktadır. Çalışma aynı zamanda sürgünün kahramana kendi gerçek durumunu daha geniş bir perspektiften keşfetme fırsatını nasıl sunduğunu göstermeyi de amaçlamaktadır.

Keywords

Sürgün, Yerinden Edilme, Naipaul, Yarım Hayat, Willie Somerset Chandran.

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