Folklor/Edebiyat (May 2020)

Reflection of Well Theme to Turkish Folk Culture, Literature and Movie Theatres From the Point of Functionalism

  • Nursel Işık

DOI
https://doi.org/10.22559/folklor.1207
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 102
pp. 281 – 296

Abstract

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Well is one of the important sources to reach water in rural areas where technological opportunuties are limited in. It’s seen that, this source has a place in Turkish culture, in the world of literature and thought in both real and figurative meanings. The reality is well theme has been using as a powerful symbol in daily life idioms and proverbs, mânis and folk songs, tales, mythes, legends, classical poems, modern literature apart from it’s worldly meaning. Therefore, the reflection of well theme to Tukish movie theatre has a parallel direction with its’ common using in both Turkish culture and literature. It is seen that; material, legendary and psychological aspects of well are emphasized in dramas and horror movies. In this article, the transfer of well theme from folk culture and Turkish literature to movie theatre is examined with a functionalist point. It is tried to be analysed over the well theme that; although there is a thought of a materialistic factor has lost its’ function apparently, with the changing of context, it has gained new functions. With this research besides its’ water resource, these functions of well are determined; it is a socialising means, a source for taboo, useful as a witness for people who fix their faults, a milestone in the life of people who are seen as holy figures, a symbol to describe impossibilities and desperations. Also, it is a way to descibe beauty of lover in classical literature, has various functions as a metaphor to impress the “death, sexuality, past, unknown” and complicated feelings in both modern literature and movie theatre.

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