Özet:
This study examines the social-historical novel titled “The Shirt of Flame”, which allows
the reader interpret history from an unorthodox source of history. The backstage of the novel is woven
with history and ideology that can be inferred from the title of the novel, and the novel itself is loaded
with metaphors and symbols. Therefore, this study follows the discursive analysis as its approach. The
characters of the novel, and their stories and life struggles reflect the survival-existential struggle of
the society. The discursive analysis reveals that the author, Halide Edib, intended to associate the prewar and post-war personal life stories of the characters with the transition from the Empire to the
nation-state of Turkey. This association symbolizes the birth fangs of nation-building during which
people sacrificed their lives for, thus, the metaphor revolves around “the new life” and “the old life”.
With labeling the novel as “The Shirt of Flame”, Halide Edib idealized the characters who supported
the national cause while marginalizing those against it. This study aims to demonstrate how the
narrative of the novel embodied the contrast between the “new” and “old” life through the characters
and their actions.
