The geography and historical conditions in which the Turkish people have lived have caused war to always be a part of their lives. Consequently, as in many other fields, Turkish literature has often depicted the struggles of the Turkish nation, the Turkish soldier who carried out these struggles, or individuals who possess soldierly qualities. In many poems and novels that narrate the Turkish nation’s wars of independence, the idealized male characters are either Turkish soldiers or possess the qualities necessary to become one. It is observed that the characters in literary works undergo certain emotional and intellectual changes and transformations after donning the military uniform. Those who wear the uniform are understood to become stronger both physically and mentally and to serve a noble cause such as saving the homeland. Moreover, there are also female heroes who participate in the struggle by wearing the uniforms of their respective professions. This study will examine the changes and transformations of characters depicted in poems and novels particularly those that describe the Turkish nation’s struggle for independence after they put on the uniform. In doing so, it will aim to identify how the military uniform was perceived during the period, as well as the national, spiritual, cultural, and symbolic values it embodied.
Poetry, novel, War of Independence, war, soldier uniform.