Daniel Lerner\u2019s \u201cThe Grocer and the Chief\u201d equates History with change. Before the election of 1950, the village of Balgat is essentially static. People have set, comfortable social positions and traditional values govern the way they live their lives. The state of society is not called into question, despite the sharp discrepancy in technological development between the village and the city of Ankara, not far away. The Chief of the village is a prime example of Balgat\u2019s \u201cpre-Historic\u201d way of life. He is comfortable with maintaining the status quo. Perhaps the first Historical figure in Balgat\u2019s narrative is the grocer, who alters the social equilibrium by openly stating his desire to live with more material wealth and technology, and seeking to belong to a society that mirrors American capitalism. Even though the grocer\u2019s views are frowned upon by his fellow villagers, they serve as a precursor to the changes to come. Four years later, the grocer\u2019s vision is viewed through a more \u201cmodern\u201d historical lens. \u201cHe was the cleverest of us all\u2026he was a prophet.\u201d In the case of Balgat, change leads to the development of history, which ultimately shapes the concept of modernity. Modernity is exemplified through material wealth and more social mobility. Meanwhile, Balgat is integrated into the city of Ankara, and citizens lose many of their traditional values and economic independence. Overall, the anomaly of the grocer in Balgat foreshadows the rapid social and economic change that will shape the modern historical narrative of the small Turkish village.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Daniel Lerner\u2019s \u201cThe Grocer and the Chief\u201d equates History with change. Before the election of 1950, the village of Balgat is essentially static. People have set, comfortable social positions and traditional values govern the way they live their lives. The … Continue reading