Turbulent Legacies: New Historicism and Family Disintegration in Elif Shafak’s the Bastard of Istanbul

Abstract

This paper utilizes a New Historicist lens to examine the breakdown of family structures in Elif Shafak’s the Bastard of Istanbul, a contemporary novel reflecting life in Turkey. It shows how the cultural dissonance, generational conflicts, and the lingering effects of historical trauma weaken the bonds within the Kazanci and Tchakhmakhchian families and, ultimately, between Armenians and the Turkish community. Through a close analysis of the experiences of Zeliha, Asya, Armanoush, and other characters, the paper explores how the unspoken truths and unresolved historical narratives erode trust and fracture family connections. The study emphasizes how the enduring legacy of past sufferings disintegrates the very foundation of the family unit and breaks the blood ties. Through scrutinizing the various instances of familial decline portrayed in the fiction, the researchers provide a deeper understanding of the text and illuminate the impact of historical and social forces on family life in modern Turkey.