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However, only few researches explore identity construction by using the Sufi’s
framework of identity formation. As corollary to the above, this work hopes to supplement the limited corpus
of studying Middle Eastern literature on Orhan Pamuk’s works. Finally, it is the hope that the spiritual dimension of the Sufi framework of identity formation may
be promoted by this work.
C. Scope of the Study
The study will be focusing on three novels of Orhan Pamuk: The Black Book, Snow, and The Museum of Innocence in order to unravel how Pamuk
exposes the dynamics of identity formation in the structure and direction in these three novels, and how far the Sufi framework of human identity quest helps us to
understand the overall and deeper structure of his narrative. All the three novels selected in this study exemplify Turkey identity quest
that evokes the concept of identity construction within Sufi framework. Therefore, this study should reveal the influence of Sufi framework of identity
formation in Pamuk’s identity concept.
D. Research Method
This study is a library research where data gathering is divided into two categories: primary and secondary data. The primary data of this study is Orhan
Pamuk’s novels, particularly The Black Book 1994, Snow 2004, and The Museum of Innocence 2008. The secondary data will be taken from criticism,
articles, and journals discussing and analyzing Orhan Pamuk and his literary
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works. In addition to these, Orhan Pamuk’s biography, Istanbul Memories of the
City 2006, his collected essay Other Colors 2007 and his other novels
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will also be employed as the source of secondary data.
This library research will employ descriptive qualitative method to describe the collected data. The data are piled by close reading of the novels, summarizing
the conflicts, actions, textual evidences, and interpretations. Afterwards, the data will be analyzed to answer the research questions in the preceding subchapter.
E. Chapter Outline
The material of this work is divided thematically. Chapter one is to provide the basic information on the subject matter which comprises of the background of
the study, research questions, significance of the study and methodology of the study. Chapter two is literature review that presents a brief summary of related
previous studies conducted on similar literary works, the theory employed in the study, and the theoretical framework of the study. To familiarize the readers with
Orhan Pamuk and his oeuvre, the summary of his selected literary works and his brief biography will also be presented in this chapter. The next chapter will
discuss the answers to the research questions. Each answer would deserve one chapter discussion. Thus, chapter three will discuss the Sufi framework of
meaning in terms of symbolism and the stages of identity formation that shown in the three novels in the present study. Chapter four will examine the tension and
complexity of identity formation in Pamuk’s novels and the influence of Sufi
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So far Pamuk has written eight novels including the three novels used as the primary data in this study. Other novels written by Pamuk are Cevdet Bey and His Son 1982- no English translation
available until now, The Silent House 1983, English translation available in 2012, The White Castle 1985, The New Life 1994, and My Name is Red 1998.
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framework of identity formation on Pamuk’s identity quest presented in The
Black Book, Snow, and The Museum of Innocence. The final chapter concludes the work by presenting the findings and implications of the study. Selected
bibliography that contains of the works cited in this study as references or works which are not cited, but have been helpful in the process of writing will be placed
on the last part of the thesis.
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CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW
