Toprak Family Cultural Identity in Elif Shafak’s Honor

Abstract

This thesis discusses the concept of cultural identity through the lens of Elif Shafak's Honor. Her background emphasizes the struggle of immigrants to define their identity when living between two different cultures. The research focuses on how cultural values and social context affect one's identity and examines author Elif Shafak's background and her experiences as an immigrant, which are reflected in her literary works. Elif Shafak, an award-winning novelist with a multicultural background, has lived in various countries, enriching her understanding of different cultures. Her novel Honor tells the story of Iskander Toprak, a young Turkish immigrant in London who deals with the clash of cultures and identities. This study aims to analyze how Shafak portrays the construction of the main character's cultural identity while living as an immigrant in London and the impact of the immigrant experience on his sense of self. Iskander, who is young, quickly learns the new language, while his mother, Pembe, finds it difficult. The Toprak family faces further turmoil when they separate, and each family member adapts in different ways to their new surroundings. This thesis highlights the cultural conflicts within the family, especially how traditional values clash with the new cultural norms encountered in London and underlines the dynamic nature of cultural identity, especially for immigrants. This thesis describes how Shafak's Honor experiences and resolves identity conflict. The novel shows that accepting and integrating the values of the new culture while retaining the beneficial aspects of the old culture can result in a more harmonious and enriched identity. The main character, Iskander, ultimately embraces a multicultural identity, which helps him find a balance between his Turkish heritage and the new culture in London.