ÇALIKUŞU

This novel portrays the struggle of a woman in a male-dominated society. Feride, heroine of the book, tries to lead her life working as a teacher. She is often insulted by ignorant people because she is alone. Reşat Nuri mirrors society in his single heroine’s miserable life.

Brief summary of the book Losing her mother at an early age, Feride goes to a boarding school and becomes a teacher. She falls in love with his cousin, Kamuran who is really handsome but a bit rascal. Feride learns Kamuran’s love affair with another woman three days before their marriage. She hates him and decides to leave him.

She starts to work as a teacher. She is very eager to teach and to be helpful for the students but conservative society never lets her. As a single young girl, wherever she goes the rumours about her never stop. The society makes her move from one place to another so she can’t find happiness anywhere.

This book portrays the struggle of a young teacher in a conscienceless society. In this way, Feride’s story heartens young people who are willing to change their society. It reflects a vantage point that we need today. In a global world, people should respect different kinds of views and different kinds of life styles.