Turquía en la literatura Española de viajes del siglo XX

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation is to examine how Turkey was depicted throughout the twentieth century in Spanish travel literature, how these representations evolved over time, and how Western-centered perspectives framed within Orientalism emerged in these works. The dissertation takes as its methodological foundation Edward Said's theory of Orientalism, Stuart Hall's theory of cultural identity, and Michel Foucault's theory of the knowledge-power relationship. A traditional chronological methodology has been followed, and the texts are analyzed in three periods: 1898–1933, 1941–1974, and 1974–1999. Each period is contextualized within the historical background of Spain and Turkey, exploring how social and cultural transformations in both countries shaped the travelers' narratives. The dissertation demonstrates that representations of Turkey in twentieth-century Spanish travel literature evolved from stereotypical Orientalist accounts towards more balanced and critical perspectives. Nevertheless, certain elements of Orientalism persisted, particularly the retention of a Western-centered gaze. This shows that Turkey was portrayed by Spanish authors both as an object of fascination and of criticism, and that this dual approach significantly shaped its representation in the West. The contribution of this study lies in offering a critical perspective on representations of Turkey in Spanish travel writing and in analyzing the reflections of Orientalist discourse in literary texts. At the same time, the dissertation constitutes the first reference work in the field of intercultural studies, providing a valuable resource for future research on East–West relations and on the cultural connections between Spain and Turkey.