A Pioneer Work on the Borders of History of Literature and Criticism: Social Issues in Cyprus Turkish Literature

Abstract

Social Issues in Cyprus Turkish Literature which was written by Ali Nesim in 1986 is the first written work about Cyprus Turkish Literature. Even though the writer stated in the preface section that his intention wasn’t to write a history of literature book and instead, he had intended to reveal intellectual and cultural development of Cyprus society by means of literature; it is seen that he introduced and criticized the works of Cypriot authors within the scope of societal perspective in pursuance with his main claim throughout the work while he included general information regarding the history of Cyprus Literature. Discussing Cyprus Turkish Literature and the authors in the context of social issues, politics, village, ethics, patriotism, Erenköy Resistance and universalism in the first section of the book, the writer provides brief information on the history of Cyprus Turkish Literature in the second section. He narrates short biographical information about the authors in the third section. Also, it is witnessed that the work of Ali Nesim reflects an effort to make a deep evaluation, interpretation and analysis by handling Cyprus Turkish Literature as a genuine literature on its own in terms of society and patriotism. In this work, it is revealed that in which perspective the history of Cyprus Turkish Literature was classified within the book Social Issues in Cyprus Turkish Literature, and on which criteria the concerning literary works were criticized.