EFFECT OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN ELAF SHAFAK 10 MINUTES AND 38 SECONDS: A STUDY OF FEMINISM

Abstract

This study explores the effect of gender discrimination in Elif Shafak's novel 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World through the lens of feminist literary theory. Shafak’s narrative, centered on the life and posthumous reflections of Tequila Leila, a sex worker in Istanbul, offers a poignant critique of the patriarchal structures that marginalize and oppress women. By analyzing the experiences of Leila and her circle of outcast friends, this paper investigates how societal norms, cultural expectations, and institutional failures contribute to systemic gender inequality. The research highlights how the novel challenges traditional gender roles, exposes the intersection of gender with class and sexuality, and affirms female solidarity as a form of resistance. Ultimately, the study underscores Shafak's feminist commitment to giving voice to the silenced and marginalized, revealing how literature can serve as a powerful vehicle for social commentary and transformation.