Papers by Elif Shannon Chastain
Haremlik was first published in 1905 as a series in the Sunday Magazine, and then after many reje... more Haremlik was first published in 1905 as a series in the Sunday Magazine, and then after many rejections published as a monograph in the United States in 1909 by Houghton Mifflin and in the same year in England as Some Pages from the Lives of Turkish Women. Vaka’s experiences and stories that are the basis of Haremlik were likely written between 1901 and 1905, the former being the time she spent in Istanbul and the latter being the publication date.
There are important questions that should be asked about the written of Haremlik, neither of which can be adequately answered.
It is clear that it is a memoir, but the considering the numerous conversations and dialogues that made up the work, we must ask whether these are the product of a diary she kept in 1901 or based on memories recalled a few years later. We should also question how factual this text is. That is not to say, I think the text is fiction or massive exaggeration, but can we really trust the level of detail provided?
A transliteration and analysis of a unique Ottoman petition which shows the entire bureaucratic p... more A transliteration and analysis of a unique Ottoman petition which shows the entire bureaucratic progression of petitioning process in one document. Most surviving examples of Ottoman petitions are incomplete, maybe we have the original petition, but not the outcome of the process, or maybe a record of an action that was in response to a petition, but not the original petition. Other references to petitions can be found in kadi sicilleri or defteri, to the original petition or the outcome is unknown.
However, in this case we can see the entire process from the original request made by filbân Mehmet Ali to kalem memuru who summarized the situation and recommend action, to a clerk of the defterdarlık, who in the distinctive style of siyakat calculated sums to be paid, to the approval of the sadrazam, and the final notes added by the sadrazam’s clerk confirming that payments had been made and received.
This also provides an opportunity to look at how the petition process was carried out from a visual perspective. At first glance the document is a chaotic mess of overlapping text in no clear order, but a closer examination revels the structure behind the chaos.
Talks by Elif Shannon Chastain
In the diverse world of global theater, the story of Siranush, born Merope Sahaki Kantarjian, is ... more In the diverse world of global theater, the story of Siranush, born Merope Sahaki Kantarjian, is a captivating chapter highlighting the power of performance to transcend cultural and gender boundaries. As the first woman to take on the role of Hamlet, Siranush broke new ground in portraying one of Shakespeare’s most complex characters and brought a unique perspective to the stage that resonated with audiences far beyond her Ottoman-Armenian heritage. This presentation aims to delve into Siranush's historical performance within the broader narrative of theatrical innovation and cultural expression during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Her portrayal of Hamlet was not just a personal triumph but a landmark moment in theater history, blending Shakespeare’s timeless themes with the nuanced experiences of an Armenian woman navigating the complexities of her identity in a multicultural empire. Her legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of theater to challenge societal norms, celebrate diversity, and connect audiences across the divides of nationality, culture, and time. This talk celebrates Siranush not only as a pioneer in female performance but also as a symbolic figure whose life and work continue to inspire those who cherish the art of theater worldwide.
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Papers by Elif Shannon Chastain
There are important questions that should be asked about the written of Haremlik, neither of which can be adequately answered.
It is clear that it is a memoir, but the considering the numerous conversations and dialogues that made up the work, we must ask whether these are the product of a diary she kept in 1901 or based on memories recalled a few years later. We should also question how factual this text is. That is not to say, I think the text is fiction or massive exaggeration, but can we really trust the level of detail provided?
However, in this case we can see the entire process from the original request made by filbân Mehmet Ali to kalem memuru who summarized the situation and recommend action, to a clerk of the defterdarlık, who in the distinctive style of siyakat calculated sums to be paid, to the approval of the sadrazam, and the final notes added by the sadrazam’s clerk confirming that payments had been made and received.
This also provides an opportunity to look at how the petition process was carried out from a visual perspective. At first glance the document is a chaotic mess of overlapping text in no clear order, but a closer examination revels the structure behind the chaos.
Talks by Elif Shannon Chastain
There are important questions that should be asked about the written of Haremlik, neither of which can be adequately answered.
It is clear that it is a memoir, but the considering the numerous conversations and dialogues that made up the work, we must ask whether these are the product of a diary she kept in 1901 or based on memories recalled a few years later. We should also question how factual this text is. That is not to say, I think the text is fiction or massive exaggeration, but can we really trust the level of detail provided?
However, in this case we can see the entire process from the original request made by filbân Mehmet Ali to kalem memuru who summarized the situation and recommend action, to a clerk of the defterdarlık, who in the distinctive style of siyakat calculated sums to be paid, to the approval of the sadrazam, and the final notes added by the sadrazam’s clerk confirming that payments had been made and received.
This also provides an opportunity to look at how the petition process was carried out from a visual perspective. At first glance the document is a chaotic mess of overlapping text in no clear order, but a closer examination revels the structure behind the chaos.