A Young Turkish Catastrophe by Saki
The narrative unfolds in a fictional Eastern setting where the Minister for Fine Arts engages in a conversation with the Grand Vizier regarding the potential enfranchisement of women under a new Constitution. The Vizier expresses disbelief at the notion, citing cultural norms and the perceived lack of intelligence among women. Despite the Minister's attempts to rationalize the idea by referencing Western practices, the Vizier remains skeptical but ultimately concedes to allow women to vote. As the election in the Lakoumistan division approaches its conclusion, the Young Turkish Party candidate is confident of victory, having employed modern campaigning techniques, including motorcars. However, the unexpected arrival of Ali the Blest, accompanied by his numerous wives and female supporters, shifts the dynamics of the election. Ali's strategy relies on the mobilization of his womenfolk, contrasting sharply with the Young Turkish candidate's more Westernized approach to marriage and politics. The election results take a surprising turn as Ali's candidate gains a significant lead, highlighting the power of the "Veiled Vote" that the Young Turkish candidate failed to anticipate. The story critiques the assumptions about women's roles in society and the political landscape, illustrating how traditional values can subvert modern electoral strategies. The narrative concludes with Ali reflecting on the irony of the situation, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural contexts in political matters.
By Saki · First published 1914 · Genre: Satire, Political Fiction, Humor · 713 words
First lines
The Minister for Fine Arts (to whose Department had been lately added the new subsection of Electoral Engineering) paid a business visit to the Grand Vizier. According to Eastern etiquette they discoursed for a while on indifferent subjects. The minister only checked himself in time from making a passing reference to the Marathon Race, remembering that the Vizier had a Persian grandmother and might consider any allusion to Marathon as somewhat tactless. Presently the Minister broached the subject of his interview.
"Under the new Constitution are women to have votes? " he asked suddenly.
What this Textopian page supports
A Young Turkish Catastrophe is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1914 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Saki
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Political Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 713 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Young Turkish Catastrophe by Saki
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Satire — The work critiques societal norms and political absurdities, particularly regarding women's suffrage and electoral processes.
- Political Fiction — The plot revolves around political themes, including elections and governance in a fictional Eastern setting.
- Humor — The dialogue and situations are infused with wit and irony, highlighting the absurdity of the characters' beliefs.
- Social Commentary — The narrative reflects on gender roles and societal expectations in a historical context.
Tags
satire · politics · feminism · election · Turkey · humor · Saki · social commentary · absurdity · cultural critique · gender roles · historical fiction