Yaşar Kemal
Yașar Kemal
#### A Turkish Novelist of Unyielding Spirit
Yașar Kemal was born on October 6, 1923, in the village of Günyüzü, in what is now the province of Çorum, Turkey. He would later become one of Turkey's most celebrated novelists and a leading figure in the country's literary scene.
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Yașar Kemal's full name was Yașar Nur Kemal. However, he was commonly known by his pen name, which has remained synonymous with his literary legacy.
#### Birth and Death Dates
October 6, 1923 – February 28, 2015
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
Turkish novelist, journalist, and politician
Yașar Kemal's literary career spanned over six decades. He was a prolific writer who wrote novels, short stories, and essays that explored the human condition, social justice, and the struggles of the working class.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a small village in northern Turkey, Yașar Kemal was exposed to the harsh realities of rural life from an early age. His family's poverty and his father's struggles to make ends meet would later influence his writing, as he often explored themes of social inequality and economic hardship.
Kemal's love for reading and writing began at a young age. He was particularly drawn to the works of Turkish poet and writer Ömer Seyfettin, whose influence can be seen in Kemal's own writing style. After completing his primary education, Kemal moved to Istanbul to pursue higher studies but eventually dropped out due to financial constraints.
Major Accomplishments
Yașar Kemal's literary breakthrough came with the publication of his novel _The Memed, My Hawk_ (Memed İle İsmail) in 1955. The novel, which tells the story of a young peasant's struggle against the landlord class, earned him widespread acclaim and recognition as one of Turkey's leading writers.
Throughout his career, Kemal wrote over 30 novels and numerous short stories and essays. His works were translated into many languages and widely read around the world. He was awarded several prestigious literary prizes, including the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1988.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Yașar Kemal's notable works include:
_The Memed, My Hawk_ (1955) - a novel that explores themes of social inequality and economic hardship
_The Wind from the Hills_ (1963) - a novel that tells the story of a group of peasants fighting against the forces of oppression
* _Salley's House_ (1971) - a novel that explores the lives of a family living in poverty
Kemal was also an outspoken advocate for social justice and human rights. He was a vocal critic of Turkey's military regime during the 1980s and was imprisoned several times for his activism.
Impact and Legacy
Yașar Kemal's impact on Turkish literature and society cannot be overstated. His works have inspired generations of writers, activists, and artists, who have been drawn to his powerful storytelling, nuanced characterization, and unyielding commitment to social justice.
Kemal's legacy extends beyond Turkey's borders as well. His novels have been translated into many languages and widely read around the world, introducing readers to the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people living in extraordinary circumstances.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Yașar Kemal is widely quoted and remembered for his powerful storytelling, nuanced characterization, and unyielding commitment to social justice. His works continue to inspire readers, writers, and activists around the world, serving as a reminder of the power of literature to challenge inequality, promote empathy, and inspire positive change.
As a writer who refused to compromise his values or silence his conscience, Yașar Kemal left an enduring legacy that continues to resonate with readers today. His novels remain timeless testaments to the human spirit's capacity for resilience, hope, and transformation in the face of adversity.
Quotes by Yaşar Kemal
Yaşar Kemal's insights on:
Bu işi başımıza Mustafa Kemal Paşayla Venizelos getirdi, diyorlar. Yok, yok, yalan, yalan, bu işi başımıza Avrupa medeniyeti getirdi. Lozan Konferansında bu işi başımıza bütün Avrupa getirdi.
Bu kazık bize gene İttihat ve Terakkinin attığı bir kazıktır, Enver Paşa kazığı gibi. Bırakalım bunu da sen bana sürgün maceranı anlat. Biz İttihat Terakkinin daha çok kazığını yiyeceğiz.
Bizi gönderirlerse, böyle bir şarabı kim yapacak onlara?" "Böyle ak petekli bal?" "Böyle yumruk büyüklüğündeki incirleri..." "Böyle kehribar üzümleri?.." "Böyle oynar oynar balıkları?.." "Barbunileri, kılıçları, orkinosları, fener balıklarını, dülger balığını, mezgitleri ve hem de palamutları... Ve hem de tekirleri... "Sen hiç korkma Barba Spiros.
Zulme karşı koymamak kafirliktir" diyordu. "Çocuğunun rızkını, baba yurdunu korumamak, bırakıp gurbet ellere düşmek kafirliktir. Zulme karşı koymamak zalime ortak olmaktır. Korkmak, korkudan dolayı yılmak kafirliktir.
Bu dünya böyledir" diyordu. "Sular hendeğine dolar. İnsanlar doğar ölür, gün doğar batar. Ağaçlar büyür çürür. Sular akar, bulut ağar. Ağayı öldürürsün, ağa gelir yerine. Bir daha öldürürsün, bir daha gelir.
İnsanın içindeki adalet duygusunu köreltirsek, insanın insana saygısı kalmaz. İnsanın insana itimadı, hürmeti kalmayınca da bir yerde insanlık çok şey kaybeder, hayat çirkinleşir.
Sen ne sanıyorsun oğlum Memed, İnce Memedler bitecek mi sanıyorsun? Her insanın içinde bir mecbur kurdu, bir İnce Memedlik, bir Köroğluluk kurdu var. Köroğlu gitti İnce Memed geldi. İnsanoğlunun içinde bu kurt oldukça insanoğlu ne olursa olsun yenilmeyecek. Sen insanoğlunun içindeki kurtsun, ne olursan ol, nereye gidersen git. İşte insanoğlunun içindeki bu kurt yiterse insanlık da işte o zaman insanlıktan çıkar.
Amenna ben Türküm, Müslümanım, bundan başka da bir suçum var mı? Ben ne yaptım Yunanistana, ben ne yaptım Türkiyeye? Beni bir kedi yavrusu gibi boynumdan tutup Giritten buraya niçin attılar?
Bireycilik ateşini korkuyla birlikte körükleyeceksiniz, onların hepsi biz kardeşiz, yoldaşız, derler, aldırmayacaksınız. Onların çoğunun içinde bir bireycilik ateşi sonsuzca yanar, karıncaların birbirlerine düşmanlığı bu bireycilikten doğar, ölüm, yılgınlık, sevgisizlik bu bireycilikten doğar. Hiçbir kırmızı sakalın birbirini sevmesine fırsat izin vermeyeceksiniz.