Palimpsest: A Powerful Tool for Analyzing Discourses Embedded in Istanbul: Memories and the City

Abstract

Aim of the Study: The present study investigates the subjective and collective memories of the urban residents of Istanbul, with a specific emphasis on the insights offered by urban literature. The present study examines the propensity of urban areas to undergo transformation as a consequence of successive civilizations.

Methodology: The present study utilizes a qualitative-theory methodology and adopts De Quincey's concept of "Palimpsest" as the theoretical framework to accomplish its objectives. The primary research approach utilized is a methodology centred around the textual analysis. This methodology entails a thorough examination and interpretation of the intricate layers of individual and collective memories intertwined within the selected literary work.

Findings: The analysis of the selected work reveals that the portrayal of Istanbul reinforces the concept of a palimpsest, symbolizing the perpetual transformations occurring within the urban landscape. The narrative underscores the historical and cultural influences that are discernible in Istanbul, placing emphasis on the dynamic nature of its growth, which has been moulded by the interplay of various civilizations throughout the ages.

Conclusion: This research provides insight into the concept of Istanbul as a palimpsest, characterized by the ongoing transformation of its physical infrastructure and social fabric due to the successive influences of diverse civilizations. The identity of a place is shaped not only by its architectural and historical components, but also by the intricate interaction of social, cultural, economic, and traditional artefacts.