FEMALE MARGINALITY AND URBAN VIOLENCE IN 10 MINUTES 38 SECONDS IN THIS STRANGE WORLD

Abstract

This study examines female marginality and urban violence in 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak. The novel portrays the life of marginalized women who are pushed to the edges of society due to poverty, gender discrimination, and social stigma. Through the protagonist’s memories, the text reveals how urban spaces often become sites of violence, exclusion, and survival for women. Elif Shafak’s 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World presents a compelling exploration of female marginality and urban violence in contemporary Istanbul. This study applies feminist urban theory (Linda McDowell; Rachel Pain) and trauma narrative theory (Cathy Caruth; Dominick LaCapra) to examine how social, spatial, and psychological factors intersect to shape the experiences of marginalized women. Through qualitative textual analysis, the novel’s post-mortem narrative structure and episodic sensory memories are examined to reveal the complexities of Leila’s life as a sex worker, highlighting vulnerability, social exclusion, and resilience. Feminist urban theory elucidates how Istanbul’s gendered and socially stratified spaces amplify risk and constrain agency, while trauma narrative theory explains how fragmented memory reconstructs identity and asserts subjectivity. The study demonstrates that Shafak challenges reductive portrayals of marginalized women, showing how narrative form conveys both trauma and resistance. By integrating literary analysis with these theorists’ frameworks, the research contributes to feminist urban studies, trauma studies, and contemporary literary scholarship, providing insights into the intersections of gender, urban space, and social inequality.