NASREDDIN HODJA IN THE FACE OF BURGLARS AND BURGLARY

Abstract

Burglary, although despised, is an often-encountered event in the social life. As a theme, the negative characteristics of burglary have been addressed in folk literature and from fairy tales to legends, from jokes to manis (a specific genre of Turkish poetry), many genres have dealt with the theme. Especially jokes address the burglary theme quite often. Some of the Nasreddin Hodja stories also take burglary as their main theme. As a public spokesman, Nasreddin Hodja recklessly criticised every event, person or institute that disturbed the society. Burglars also got their share from his reckless criticism along with everyone else such as Muslim judges, ecclesiastics, merchants, governors, landlords, lords etc. The study evaluates the “burglars and burglary” theme from past to present with its diverse aspects and taking on from Nasreddin Hodja stories, lists his attitude towards burglars under six headings. These are: 1. He voices the economical problems of the society with reference to burglaries. 2. He criticises burglars viciously and indirectly. 3. Some burglars try to cover their crimes with their brazenfaced behaviours. 4. Burglars will eventually pay for their crime. 5. Their guilty conscience reveals burglars. 6. Precautions that should be taken against burglars are indirectly reminded.

Keywords

• nasreddin hodja
• joke
• burglar
• society
• poverty.