Bihter's Tragedy

The Hereditary Curse That Leads to Death

Abstract

Based on Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil's naturalist novel, Aşk-ı Memnu continues to influence and dominate the Turkish cultural sphere, even fifteen years after its finale. The protagonist Bihter Ziyagil's relatability as a woman abandoned by her lover is often resonates with and commemorated by the audience. Even though her relationship with Behlül overshadows the other aspects of the show, Bihter's bond with her mother Firdevs constitutes a significant part of her identity, and her decisions, especially her eventual suicide. Aşk-ı Memnu conveys Bihter's evolving relationship with Firdevs, psychological state and inner conflicts through mise-en-scène and narration, as the show progresses. This paper aims to explore Bihter's tragedy through her relationship with her mother, recontextualize her downfall with hereditary determinism. Bihter's hatred for her mother drives her decisions, such as marrying Adnan; however, her hereditary curse drives her towards mimicking her mother and cheating on her husband. Unable to resist her inherited characteristics, but not strong enough to endure the aftermath; Bihter commits suicide, marking the fatal distinction between herself and her mother Firdevs.