Kemal Tahir’s 1956 novel Esir Şehrin İnsanları (The People of the Captive City) is a historical and social realist work set in occupied Istanbul during the War of Independence. It explores the tension between the individual and society, intellectuals and the masses, conscience and collaboration. In this novel, the author not only narrates a period but also portrays the spirit of moral stance and resistance.

Content and Theme

The novel takes place during the years following World War I, when Istanbul was occupied by the British. The protagonist, Kamil Bey, is an intellectual who was imprisoned after the war and, upon release, confronts the decayed order of occupied Istanbul. The narrative deals with moral decay, collaboration, the testing of the intellectual identity, and the ideal of independence in occupied Istanbul. Key themes include national resistance, intellectual responsibility, the psychology of occupation, moral attitude, collaboration, and the desire for independence.

Narrative and Style

Esir Şehrin İnsanları, one of Kemal Tahir’s mature works, employs a straightforward narrative style. The novel features lengthy dialogues, intellectual debates, and detailed character analyses. It emphasizes historical accuracy and rich descriptions that successfully reflect the atmosphere of the period. Psychological depth and sociological analysis intertwine in the narration.

Characters

• Kamil Bey: The protagonist. A former Ottoman officer who, while seeking his place in post-war society, confronts the betrayal committed against his country. He is conscientious, questioning, and resilient.
• Ayşe: A young woman, idealistically and emotionally devoted to Kamil Bey. Her values influence Kamil’s inner transformation.
• Nazım Bey: A collaborator Ottoman pasha who reflects the corrupt and submissive face of the intellectual elite of the era.
• Other Bureaucrats and Intellectuals: Represent various segments of society, especially the passive and self-interested attitudes adopted in the face of occupation.

Intellectual Context

Esir Şehrin İnsanları is not merely a historical narrative but also one of the first examples of Kemal Tahir’s developed thoughts on the intellectual’s role. The novel questions individual and societal stances during the occupation years. It explores the alienation of intellectuals from the masses, the necessity of uniting with the people, and the transformation of the concept of homeland into a matter of conscience and responsibility. Together with his later novels Yorgun Savaşçı(The Weary Warrior) and Esir Şehrin Mahpusu (The Prisoner of the Captive City), this novel forms the first part of a trilogy.