njit-etd2014-002

261 Pages·2013·14.77 MB·English

by  Altin, Ersin

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ABSTRACT
RATIONALIZING EVERYDAY LIFE
IN LATE NINETEENTH-CENTURY ISTANBUL C.1900
by
Ersin Altin
This dissertation explores the rationalizing process of everyday life in late nineteenth
century Istanbul, within the framework of the modernization agendas that swept the
Ottoman Empire from the 1830s on. Starting with the period known as Tanzimat (literally
‘the reforms’), the study covers the Hamidian period (1876-1909), Second Constitutional
Era (1908-1918) and first seven years of the Turkish Republic (1923-1930) noting the
complexities of shifts and novelties by looking at daily practices and discourses, as well
as the relationships between them.
Within this historic framework, the main focus is the changing relationship
between everyday objects and behavioral patterns of the Muslim middle class in the
Ottoman capital, Istanbul, and consequently the “new life” that they aspired to. “New
life,” which emerged as a concept in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, was
charged with aims and high hopes and demands for social and cultural change. These
notions were defined and developed in reference to “old” habits and lifestyles, whether
real or imagined. Without distinguishing them categorically, the dissertation analyzes two
sets of intertwined transformations: in the self-identification of Ottoman intellectuals and
citizens and in the practical realities of daily life.
RATIONALIZING EVERYDAY LIFE
IN LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY ISTANBUL C. 1900

by
Ersin Altin

A Dissertation
Submitted to the Faculty of
New Jersey Institute of Technology and
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – Newark
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Systems

January 2014
Copyright © 2014 by Ersin Altin

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
.
APPROVAL PAGE

RATIONALIZING EVERYDAY LIFE
IN LATE NINETEENTH-CENTURY ISTANBUL C.1900

Ersin Altin

Dr. Zeynep Celik, Dissertation Advisor 12/02/2013
Distinguished Professor of Architecture, NJIT

Dr. Eva Giloi, Committee Member 12/02/2013
Associate Professor of History Department, Rutgers University

Dr. Stephen Pemberton, Committee Member 12/02/2013
Associate Professor of Federated Department of History, NJIT

Dr. Nukhet Varlik, Committee Member 12/02/2013
Assistant Professor of History Department, Rutgers University
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Author: Ersin Altin
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Date: January 2014
Undergraduate and Graduate Education:
• Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Systems,
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 2014
• Master of Architecture,
Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2003
• Bachelor of Architecture,
Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey, 1999
Major: Urban Systems
Presentations and Publications:
Ersin Altin, “Turkish Pavillion at 1939 New York World Fair,” Sedad Hakkı Eldem II.
İstanbul: Osmanlı Bankası Arşiv ve Araştırma Merkezi, 2009.
Ersin Altin, “Anarchy,” in Becoming Istanbul: An Encyclopedia , Garanti Gallery and
Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM), 2008, 16.
Ersin Altin, “Minority,” in Becoming Istanbul: An Encyclopedia , Garanti Gallery and
Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM), 2008, 181-182.
Ersin Altin, “Neighborhood,” in Becoming Istanbul: An Encyclopedia , Garanti Gallery
and Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM), 2008, 196-197.
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To Burçak and Ada

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page
1 I NTRODUCTION……............................………………..…………………………. 1
1.1 Overview, Objectives and Outline……………………………………………... 1
1.1.1 Description …………………………………………………………….... 1
1.1.2 Approach and Content…………………………………………..…….... 4
1.2 Historical Context……..…………….…………………………….……….…... 9
1.2.1 General Framework ………………………………………………….... 9
1.2.2 New Discourse……...………………………………………………….... 12
1.3 Sources………..…………….…………………..………………………….…... 15
1.4 Literature Survey…..…………….…………………………………….…... 18
2 REGULATING DAILY LIFE ……………………………………………………... 25
2.1 Introduction ………………………...………………………………………….. 25
2.1.1 Teaching the Proper …………………………………………..……….... 25
2.2 Proper Use of Time ………………………………..…………………………. 31
2.2.1 Timetabling the Education…………………………………….……….... 35
2.2.2 Timetabling the Family House…………………………………...…….... 39
2.3 Proper Use of Space ……………………………...……………………………. 43
2.3.1 Proper Use of Urban Space…………………………………………….... 43
2.3.2 Proper Use of Domestic Space ………………….…………………….... 46
2.4 Conclusion ……………………………...………………………...……………. 49

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)

Chapter Page
3 HAPPY MODERN BODIES ……………………………………………………… 50
3.1 Fitting in the World: Body and Exercise…...………………………………...… 51
3.1.1 Teaching Calisthenics………………………………………………….... 57
3.1.2 Child’s Play…………………………………………………………….... 62
3.1.3 Youth Clubs of İttihad Terakki and Sturdy Kids of the Republic……...... 66
3.2 Body Retouched..……………………………………………………..……….... 70

3.2.1 Supplements to Modern World……………………………...………….... 72
3.2.2 Packaging the Products……...………………………………………….... 80
3.3 Mission: Hygiene……....…………………………….……………………….... 83

3.3.1 A Place for Cleaning ……………………………………..…………….... 87
3.3.2 Cleaning for Health……...………………………………..…………….... 89
4 NEW HOME FOR NEW LIFE……………………………………………………... 95
4.1 Exercising at Home…………………………………………..………….…...… 98
4.2 Uplifting the Domestic Space……………………….……….…………….….. 109
4.2.1 The Changing Interior…………………………………..……...……….... 110
4.2.2 Changing Practices……...………………………………..…………….... 122
4.2.3 Domesticizing Women Labor…………………………..…...………….... 129
4.2.4 Leisurely Lady’s Leisure……...………………………..…...………….... 132
4.2.5 Sewing Machine…………………………….…………..……...……….... 134
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