Memory as Pedagogical Tool: The Role of Objectives and Narratives in Learning Through Literature in the Works of Orhan Pamuk

Abstract

The works of Turkish Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, who is most known for his novels, explore complex ideas of cultural interaction, memory, history, and identity. Subjectivity and the construction of one’s own meaning are common themes in Pamuk’s narratives. The idea that students build their own knowledge through their own experiences and interactions is central to constructivist pedagogy, which this practice echoes. His writings could serve as educational tools to demonstrate how valuable it is to consider different viewpoints and apply critical thinking skills when building knowledge. The utilisation of stories in the classroom is consistent with his elaborate storytelling approach. The three pillars of transformational education—engagement, empathy, and critical reflection—are nurtured through storytelling. Teachers could use Pamuk’s writings as examples or as starting points for class discussions on cultural and personal identity. Discussions regarding the function of art and aesthetics in the classroom would benefit from reading works by Pamuk because of the profound emotional and aesthetic reactions they elicit. His books provide a window into the ways in which feelings impact education, self-discovery, and moral reasoning.