Orhan Kemal’s novel Murtaza (1952) examines the identity formation, quest for belonging, and experiences of marginalization of an individual of migrant origin. The protagonist, Murtaza, is constantly tested and questioned in his relationship with society due to his migrant background. His identity is shaped by moral values, loyalty to the state, obedience to authority, and familial memory. This process reveals the tension between personal value systems and dominant social norms. Throughout the novel, Murtaza is marginalized by different social groups because of his language, behavior, ideological stance, and class position. Migration is portrayed not merely as physical displacement but as an ongoing experience marked by identity crises and belonging problems. This study aims to analyze the migration experience in Murtaza within a theoretical framework focusing on identity and othering.
Orhan Kemal, Murtaza, migration, population exchange, identity.