Y ld z Deveci Bozkuş
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Image 2.tiff
(Tüfekçi, 2016)
Mayda is the first work of Dussap published in Istanbul in 1883 among the Dussap's Works.
In this work in which women's economic dependence on men was discussed, the writer put
emphasis on the both psychological and social impacts of women's economic dependence on
men. Indicated that the said dependence will only be achieved with the change of the existing
order, Dussap in her work was objecting the illusion that man has a natural advantage
(Tüfekçi, 2016).
In his article themed "Outline of Modern Armenian Literature in Ottoman", Mehmet Fatih
Uslu pointed out that Dussap became famous as the first female novelist after she wrote the
novel Mayda in 1883 and thanks to this novel, the issue of women's liberation began to take
place in Armenian literature. He pointed out that Dussap also affected the next generations,
and the writers and poets like especially Zabel Asadur (Sibil), Hayganuş Mark and Zabel
Yesayan also seriously challenged the male-dominated structure of Ottoman Armenian
literature (Uslu,
Mehmet Fatih, 2016).
Her
novels entitled Siranuş published again in Istanbul in 1884 and
Araksiya ya da Mürebbiye
published in Istanbul in 1887 are placed on the top. In the novel entitled
Siranuş, Dussap
addresses a family belonging to Amira class which is expressed as high class. (Aktokmakyan,
2015).
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An Important Armenian Female Writer Prominent in
the Ottoman Period
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Siranuş (Dussap, Srpouhi 1885)
According to Aktokmakyan who describes the protagonist of the novel entitled Siranuş as a
"Victimized protagonist", the character of Siranuş tells a painful love story rather than a
romantic love by looking at its name (Aktokmakyan, 2015).
Dussap had to go to Paris due to her health problems in 1889 after her work entitled
Araksiya
ya da Mürebbiye which is her last novel. She could not write any novel anymore after the
death of her daughter Dorin who died at eighteen years old following her return to Istanbul in
1891 (Tüfekçi, 2016).
Dussap has also articles published in various newspapers and magazines in addition to her
novels. In her article themed "
The Education of Women" written in 1880, Dussap states in
general terms that the working is the only way that will make women independent from
economic and social conditions and thus they should be educated so that they can work.
According to Dussap, the working is the only way that will make women free in all fields, as
she pointed out in the article entitled "
The Principle of Working of Women" (Arevelyan
Mamul, Oriental Press) written in 1881 (Aktokmakyan, 2009). Dussap's another work is the
article entitled "
A Few Words about Not Working of Women". In this article, she pointed out,
as in her novels, that women should receive education and participate in working life for their
liberation. Dussap also has a work entitled "
Everyone's Diary" published in Venice in 1926
(Tüfekçi, 2016).
Although the overall theme in the works of Srpuhi Dussap is mainly women, the urban and
rural women's problems, prearranged marriage, economic inequalities, family pressure and
education constituted other issues under title of women. The issues mentioned by Dussap as a
writer are remarkable actually due to the fact that they encouraged her to write on Armenian
women for her period and later, although they caused her to hit the headlines in the period she
lived. Because the writer both turned a new page for Armenian women and has been an
example and inspiration to those who will work on this issue. In this respect, it is known that
Sibil (Zabel Asadur) was influenced by her after having a talk with her and she wanted to be a
second Srpuhi Dussap (Tüfekçi, 2016).
It is seen that Dussap was criticized by the contemporary male writers due to the themes in
which women's issues are dominant. In this respect, especially Kirkor Zohrab argued against
Dussap’s feminism and the working of women by entering into quite serious arguments