Memed, My Hawk

What is the author's style in Memed, My Hawk by Yashar Kemal?

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The point of view of the book is that of a third person omniscient observer. Therefore, there are written the internal thoughts of Memed and other characters such as Lame Ali and even of Abdi Agha. This universal observer also gives extensive descriptions of the landscape of the Dikenli plateau and the Chukurova lowlands. Overall, there is overwhelming sympathy for Memed and his point of view, but other characters also have their points of view represented. There is lots of dialogue, with sections reading as if they are a play. This gives a lot of freedom to a switching point of view, with a feeling of togetherness kept by the backdrop of the Chukurova plain, the Dekenli plateau and the Taurus Mountains.

Important sections of the book are pure descriptive narrative. These are important to give the story a context and a direction towards progress. The characters like Memed are struggling out of feudalism. It becomes possible for Memed to leave his village and defy his Agha Abdi, though this is totally impossible for his mother, Deuneh. The character Big Osman towards the end of the book represents a view of reconciliation and forgiveness for the crimes of the past, after the amnesty. Aunt Huru represents the desire for revenge, along with the fear that Abdi will return to become a feudal lord over the villages again. Memed chooses to back the latter point of view.

Source(s)

Memed, My Hawk, BookRags