The role of M. Emin Yurdaqul's poetry in the formation of Turkish national literature

Abstract

This article explores the poetic world of Mehmet Emin Yurdakul, a prominent Turkish poet who dedicated his life to his nation. It analyses the works that contributed to the formation and strengthening of Turkish national consciousness, identifying the main thematic and ideological characteristics of his literary output. Additionally, it explores Yurdakul’s life and the social, political and spiritual factors that shaped his identity as a nationalist poet.
Mehmet Emin Yurdakul occupies a unique position in Turkish national literature. His works demonstrate his commitment to preserving national solidarity and strengthening the morale of the Turkish people during some of the most challenging periods in their history. He contributed not only through his poetry, but also by visiting battlefronts and reminding the Turkish nation of its rich historical heritage, cultural values and national identity. In this respect, his activities extended beyond literature, playing a significant role in promoting nationalist ideals and patriotic sentiment.
During a period when the Ottoman Empire was facing serious political and military challenges, Yurdakul saw the preservation of national consciousness and spiritual unity as one of his main duties. He first gained recognition in Turkish literature during the Greco-Turkish War of 1897. His poems, later compiled in a collection titled Turkish Poems (Türkçe Şiirler), attracted widespread attention, earning him both admirers and critics. When the collection was published in 1899, it received favourable reviews and praise from several poets and intellectuals associated with the Tanzimat literary movement. Amidst the severe trials facing the Ottoman state, Yurdakul emerged as a defender of Turkish national identity and nationalist thought. Through his writing, he emphasised that the Turkish people had not received the recognition or value they deserved, and so strengthening national consciousness became one of his main objectives. National and social ideas shaped by the political and social conditions of the period occupy a central place in Yurdakul’s poetry. Rather than prioritizing aesthetic concerns, the poet focused on educational, patriotic, and socially conscious themes. In terms of both content and form, his literary work made a significant contribution to the emergence and development of the National Literature movement in Turkish literary history. By presenting the poet’s poems in their original form, the article preserves their poetic features.