Published Paper Details:

The paper aims to represent the concept of gender disguise and identity struggle through the character of Yusuf, one of Sinan's apprentice in the novel The Architect's Apprentice written by Elif Shafak. The novel mirrors the broader historical realities of exiled subjects whose gendered and cultural identities become sites of negotiation and struggle in Ottoman society. The paper examines Yusuf's journey through a postcolonial theoretical lens, analyzing how exile disrupts and reshapes identity. Modern refugee crises are paralleled by Yusuf's exile in The Architect's Apprentice. These events highlight how marginalized individuals navigate displacement, oppression, and survival in a restrictive society. The paper highlights how exile fosters both loss and transformation. The paper argues that gender disguise not only serves as a preventive strategy but also reveals profound tensions between personal identity and societal expectations.