Understanding cultural tourism through the themes of history and identity in postmodern novels: the white castle
Authors
Ümit Şengel
Corresponding AuthorAffiliation: Sakarya University of Applied Science, Sakarya, Türkiye
Email: umitsengel@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0003-1284-836X
Zeki Coşkun
Affiliation: Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Email: zeki.coskun@msgsu.edu.tr
ORCID: 0000-0002-3695-619X
Sena Uz
Affiliation: Sakarya University of Applied Science, Sakarya, Türkiye
Email: didarsari@subu.edu.tr
ORCID: 0009-0000-2597-8062
How to Cite
Şengel, Ü., Coşkun, Z., & Uz, S. (2025). Understanding cultural tourism through the themes of history and identity in postmodern novels: the white castle. CACTUS Tourism Journal, 32 (1). doi.org/10.24818/CTS/7/2025/2.04
Abstract
Cultural tourism emerges from various sources rooted in social life. Novels that explore social elements such as history, identity, and culture serve as important written sources of information, stimulating tourists’ interest in destinations. Although concepts like history and identity are abstract, they can become significant attractions when highlighted by authors’ descriptive abilities within the narrative, influencing readers and arousing their curiosity. In this context, the study aims to identify the roles of novels in cultural tourism by examining the themes of history and identity in postmodern novels. The study used the autoethnographic method and analysed Orhan Pamuk’s “The White Castle,” which compares East and West through cultural values such as history and identity, as it was considered suitable for the study’s purpose. The results indicate that the novel presents cultural differences through elements such as identity, history, religion, city, language, art, and gastronomy. The novel vividly conveys these cultural differences through the interplay of plot and description.
Keywords
JEL Classification
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