Food: An Expression of Turkish Culture and Tradition in Elif Shafak’s

In The Bastard of Istanbul Shafak has presented characters' interaction with food as an approach to study Turkish cultural values. Her presentation of their everyday usage of food as a communicational source conveys meanings which are more productive and long-lasting than any other cultural source. Shafak handles Turkish food and culinary activities as a symbolic language that addresses the issues of identity and cultural practices. She has presented the family drama through food affiliations set in the events of 1915. The Armenians and Kazancis who dispersed during the genocide in Turkey finally meet in Kazanci Konak in Istanbul and the cultural food plays an important part in alleviating the differences originated in 1915.