19. Yüzyıl Türk Şiirinde Hayvanlar (1859-1910)

Abstract

This thesis, titled " Animals in 19th Century Turkish Poetry (1859-1910)," aims to analyze the changing imagery, interpretation, and utilization of animals in Turkish poetry during the period of reform, covering the years 1859-1910. The study focuses on selected authors and poems from this era to identify how animals were portrayed and the qualities attributed to them in Turkish poetry of the 19th century. Poetry books written by authors from the Tanzimat, Ara Nesil, and Servet-i Fünûn periods within the specified timeframe have been examined. The research primarily relies on the explicit mention of animals in the selected poets' poetry books. The identified animal names have been classified based on taxonomy, excluding mythological creatures. The poems in which these animal names appear have been analyzed through close reading. Apart from the introduction and conclusion sections, the thesis consists of four chapters based on taxonomical classification. These chapters provide information about the physical characteristics, feeding and reproductive habits, migration patterns, natural habitats, and nesting habits of the animals, as well as their relationships with humans. Chapter 1 discusses various bird species found in Turkish poetry under the general heading of "Birds." Chapter 2 categorizes mammals, Chapter 3 covers Fish, Reptiles, and Insects, and Chapter 4 is dedicated to Mythological Creatures. Under these general headings, the positions of animals in social and cultural contexts, their roles in mythologies and divine religions, and occasional references to folk poetry and classical poetry traditions are highlighted, thereby demonstrating their reflections in Turkish poetry during this 19th-century period.It is observed that animals in 19th-century Turkish poetry were used in relation to metaphorical, symbolic, allegorical, and romantic interpretations, as well as reflecting real-world perceptions of nature. The changes in modern poetry have been elucidated through the utilization of animals in the poetry under study in this research.