One of the works that earned Peyami Safa his first literary fame, So-Called Girls, is the author's novel that examines the East-West conflict, considered one of the important themes in Turkish literature, through individual stories. The novel, which was first serialized in the Sabah newspaper in 1922 under the pseudonym "Serâzad," remained unfinished when the newspaper closed, but was published as a book in 1923. This work, penned just before the Republic, holds a significant place in Turkish literature for addressing themes such as misguided Westernization, female identity, moral degeneration, and cultural conflict like these.

Subject and Plot

Mebrure, the main character of the novel, comes to Istanbul from Anatolia, which is under Greek occupation, to find her missing father. In Istanbul, she settles into the mansion in Şişli belonging to Mrs. Nazmiye, her father's friend, who admires the Western lifestyle. However, the corrupt lifestyle she encounters in this mansion plunges her into an inner conflict.

The types Mebrure encounters represent the moral decay that Istanbul fell into during the war years. Behiç, the son of the mansion, appears elegant on the surface but is essentially a gambler, a morally corrupt character who tries to deceive Mebrure. On the other hand, the character Fahri, seen as honorable, devout, patriotic, honest, and a representative of the East, plays an important role in preventing Mebrure from getting caught up in the corrupt environment.

Thematic Structure

Misguided Westernization

The main theme of the novel is "misguided Westernization," an issue debated since the Tanzimat period. Peyami Safa harshly criticizes an environment that adopts only superficial elements of the West – clothing, entertainment, language – but is unaware of its system of science, thought, and values. Characters like Behiç, Nevin, and Nazmiye Hanım are depicted as fake representatives of Western imitation.

East-West Opposition

Throughout the novel, a clear opposition is established between the people of Anatolia, who represent the East – Mebrure, Fahri, Nadir – and the Istanbul elites who wrongly imitate the West. The author attempts to deepen this opposition not only through lifestyles but also through the characters' ways of thinking and moral approaches. In this context, Sözde Kızlar can be considered a thematic precursor to novels written later, such as Fatih-Harbiye, Biz İnsanlar.

Representation of Women and "So-Called Girls"

The phrase “So-Called Girls” in the novel's title refers to women who appear modern and independent but are internally superficial and decadent. Characters like Nevin and Belma reflect the author's critical perspective in this regard, while Mebrure is an idealized model of a woman who is honorable, devout, and committed to cultural values. The author's evaluation of women by dividing them into two separate groups is regarded by some literary scholars and researchers as a reflection of the patriarchal viewpoint of the era.

Place and Time

The novel is set in the period following the occupation of Izmir on 15 May 1919. Armistice Istanbul, in the author's eyes, is not only an occupied city but also a morally besieged social structure. The mansion used as a setting is the center of corruption, while Nadir's house is an emblem of simplicity and common sense. This contrast builds an ideological distinction even through physical spaces.

Characters

• Mebrure: A virtuous, moral young woman from Anatolia, devoted to her religion and family. She is the idealized female character type by the author in the novel.
• Behiç: A Western imitator, a gambler, a ruthless, superficial, and immoral character. He uses women and is insincere in human relationships.
• Nevin and Mrs. Nazmiye represent the "so-called woman" type who is modern in appearance but internally detached from values. They are typical Western imitators.
• Belma: Her real name is Hatice. She is a dramatic figure, a victim of Behiç. Her suicide and the letter revealing the truth are turning points in the novel.
• Fahri: The character approved by the author. He possesses national and spiritual values. He supports Mebrure throughout the novel.

Narrative Technique

The novel is written with an omniscient point of view. While observing events from the outside, the author also reflects the inner worlds of the characters. Although written in the simple language of its period, it contains expressions that might be dense for today's readers. It aims to convey the psychological depth of the characters, especially through inner monologues and descriptions.

Film Adaptation

So-Called Girls has been a notable work since the early years of the Republic and has been adapted into film several times:

So-Called Girls (1924), Director: Muhsin Ertuğrul.

So-Called Girls (1967), Director: Nejat Saydam.

So-Called Girls (1990), Director: Orhan Elmas.

So-Called Girls is not only the story of an individual's quest but also a critique of a nation's cultural and moral stance. In this novel, Peyami Safa aims to expose the sociocultural disintegration of Istanbul during the occupation years through the lives of individuals. Themes such as the East-West conflict, female identity, and social morality have been transformed into issues that remain current.