Knowledge as Perspective: A Genealogical Study of Pamuk's My Name is Red

Abstract

This research is concerned with Orhan Pamuk's use of multiple character- narrators in his fictional work My Name is Red. The character-narrators express various perspectives regarding different issues to aid the new historical notion of "knowledge as perspective". Characters like Black, Beloved Uncle, Shekure, Husret Hoja, Butterfly, Olive, Dog, Tree, Gold Coin and so on opine ideas countering the canonical notions regarding truth, knowledge, history and so on. Husret Hoja's conception regarding coffee that it is devil's ruse and Gold Coin's unveiling the secret that it is not pure as supposed by others but counterfeit force us to find out causes behind their expressions. Similarly, the recurrent account of historical characters and their exposition of the negative aspects of the past in a fictional work entice the readers to question history. Sultan Murat III's passion for power and miniaturist painters' treacheries to be in a better position unveil the dark side of history to support Nietzschean notion that history is also the record of crimes, passions and follies. Therefore, this research contends to prove that truth, knowledge, history and power are nothing but the definition of power holders, which are one-sided, subjective and changeable. Genealogical study of these factors, after all, certifies that history is subjective, power is universal and all pervasive; and knowledge and truth are mere constructs.