This study fundamentally aims to question the possibilities of accessing social reality through fictional texts. The novel, as a literary genre, was chosen as the focal point, and the concept of religious identity was explored through this genre. Therefore, Hanif Kureishi's "Kara Plak" (Black Record) and Zadie Smith's "İnci Gibi Dişler" (Pearl-like Teeth) were selected as sample texts, focusing on postcolonial literature and the postcolonial novel. The characters in these novels were used to reveal the potential differences in the religious identities of immigrant individuals across generations. In this context, it was observed that first-generation immigrants tended to maintain their religious identities, while second-generation immigrants tended to undergo transformation and radicalization. The study aimed to trace these differences in the religious identities of immigrant individuals using narrative and discourse analysis techniques within the scope of qualitative research. Thus, the analysis of the novels was conducted by referring to identity theories, which gained theoretical prominence especially in the second half of the 20th century, and key concepts of postcolonial theory. At this point, the study was tried to be concluded by focusing on the concepts of Manuel Castells within the scope of identity theories and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Homi Bhabha within the scope of postcolonial theory.
Key ConceptsSociology of Religion; Sociology of Literature; Postcolonial Literature; Religious Identity; Postcolonial Theory; Novel
This basically study aims to question the possibilities of reaching social
reality through fictional texts. The novel as a literary genre is determined
as the focus of the study and the concept of religious identity
is tried to be examined through this genre. In this respect, centering
upon the postcolonial literature and postcolonial novel, Hanif Kureishi's
Black Album and Zadie Smith's White Teeth are chosen as sample texts.
Through the characters in these novels, what kind of differences the
religious identities of immigrant individuals may contain between generations
is revealed. In this context, it is observed that first-generation
Immigrants tend to preserve their religious identities while the religious
identities of second-generation immigrants tend to be radicalized by being
transformed The study aims to trace these differences regarding the
religious identities of immigrant individuals by using narrative and discourse
analysis methods within the scope of qualitative research. Thus,
the analysis of the novels is carried out with reference to the key concepts
of identity theories and postcolonial theory which gained importance,
especially in the second half of the 20th century. At this point,
the study is tried to be concluded by focusing on the concepts of Manuel
Castells within the scope of identity theories, and Gayatri Chakravorty
Spivak and Homi Bhabha within the scope of postcolonial theory.
Keywords: Sociology of Religion; Sociology of Literature; postcolonial
Literature; Religious Identity; Postcolonial Theory; novel
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