Existential Threads in Shafak's Three Daughters of Eve: A Critical Reading

Abstract

This research undertakes a critical analysis of Shafak's Three Daughters of Eve, adopting an existentialist lens to delve into the existential experiences of the characters. This analytical inquiry is confined to the portrayal of Peri, a Turkish woman marked by intellectual pursuits and tumultuous relationships. Peri's proclivity towards freedom, moderate religious observance, and her adolescent years dedicated to the pursuit of meaning are the key focal points of this exploration. The analysis uncovers not only her fragile and susceptible nature but also discerns the multitude of catalysts that ultimately lead Peri to contemplate suicide. This enduring sense of isolation, inner restlessness, distressing nightmares, and vivid imaginative experiences persist even during her academic tenure in England. The research methodology centers on a meticulous textual analysis, emphasizing a close examination of the novel to identify existential themes and experiences, particularly as embodied by Peri. Through this methodological framework, the study seeks to furnish a comprehensive comprehension of the existentialist elements prevalent in the narrative and their profound influence on the character's psyche and consequential decisions.