Reşat Nuri Güntekin
Adapted from Reşat Nuri Güntekin's 1930 novel, Yaprak Dökümü (The Fall of Leaves) focuses on the moral Ali Rıza Bey and the disintegration (the falling of the leaves) of his family amidst financial pursuits and corruption. The work is a realist social novel that deals with the misunderstanding of Westernization, the effects of economic changes on family structure, and moral collapse.
It is the struggle of Ali Rıza Bey, an honest and honorable father raised with the strict moral codes of the old era, to keep his children and family together as they go astray due to poverty, the desire for luxury, and the corrupt morality of the period. This struggle ends with the father sacrificing his integrity in the inner conflict between preserving his own honor and providing for the welfare of his children.
Istanbul. Initially, the old house in Bağlarbaşı where traditional values were preserved and the trading companies where Ali Rıza Bey worked. Later, coffeehouses where impoverished retirees gathered, Fikret's house in Adapazarı, and finally, Leyla's modern apartment in Taksim, which represents degeneration.
Post-World War I (The Great War), the early years of the Republic (the 1920s). A transition period dominated by shifting economic and social balances.
Dark, oppressive, melancholic, and tragedy-focused. A heavy sense of pressure brought about by increasing poverty, moral decay, and hopelessness permeates the entire story.
A third-person external narrator with an omniscient perspective, who knows all the details of the events and has full access to both the inner worlds (psychology) of the characters and the external environment.
In this world, honesty and virtue are weak and destined to be defeated unless backed by financial security. Poverty is an acid strong enough to dissolve and destroy even the most basic moral principles and family bonds. The rule that 'honor without money can only last a generation or two' functions almost like a ruthless physical law of the universe.
A period of great opportunism and 'get-rich-quick' schemes began in the post-war society. It is an era where old moral principles were destroyed, people were dissatisfied with their status, and the cravings for luxury, entertainment, and a 'modern' lifestyle reached their peak. The traditional ethics of bureaucracy gave way to a pragmatic and ruthless merchant mentality.
Characters are arranged at equal intervals on a circle; you can read the relationship type and dynamics by clicking on the lines.
Bir çizgiye tıklayarak ilişki detayını açın.
Initially, they are under Ali Rıza Bey's strict patriarchal authority. However, as poverty increases, the balance of power shifts completely; Hayriye Hanım behaves pragmatically, rebels, takes control of the family, and renders her husband insignificant.
Hayriye Hanım, who used to never go against her husband's word, starting to shout and blame him, saying, 'Because of you, every one of my children has been ruined.'
Based on great love and respect. Ali Rıza Bey sees Şevket as the pillar of the family and his own moral heir. Even when Şevket is crushed under this burden and driven to crime, the love between them does not assimilate but turns into a deepening pity.
Ali Rıza Bey's great understanding when, during a prison visit, Şevket expresses feeling relieved.
Fikret is the child who most resembles her father intellectually and morally. However, she can never forgive the weakness her father shows toward her mother and deviant siblings, leading to a deep moral resentment and coldness between them.
Fikret criticizing her father by saying, 'It never crossed my mind to be resentful of you because we became poor like my mother and my siblings... Conversely, I could not forgive the weakness shown toward them.'
Initially, they are co-conspirators in their fondness for modern life and entertainment. However, when it comes to finding a husband and accessing luxury, they turn into vicious competitors; after Necla steals Leyla's fiancé, they become enemies.
The two sisters, who were once laughing and playing, grabbing each other by the hair and fighting, calling each other 'sluts' after Abdülvehhap switches his interest.
A one-sided relationship of sacrifice and exploitation. Ferhunde is the constantly demanding, manipulative party. Şevket, on the other hand, is the victim who consumes himself materialistically and spiritually just to not lose her love.
Şevket embezzling money from the bank, unable to meet his wife's demands for entertainment and clothing.
A fake relationship built solely on the promise of financial security and luxury. It collapses instantly at the slightest reputational crisis, and Abdülvehhap turns to the younger sister, whom he sees as an easier target.
Following the argument that broke out after he met his old friends on the street, Abdülvehhap leaving Leyla and asking for Necla's hand.
An relentless cold war rages between the daughter-in-law and the mother-in-law over the management of the house. Hayriye Hanım, who did not want Ferhunde initially, is forced to step back and even serve her because of her audacity and influence over Şevket.
The once proud Hayriye Hanım having to prepare alcoholic appetizers and sandwiches in the kitchen for Ferhunde and her guests.
The respect formerly inherent in the student-teacher relationship descends to the level of boss and clerk. Muzaffer's corrupt morality exceeds Ali Rıza Bey's limits of tolerance, leading him to sever their bond at the cost of his own economic ruin.
Ali Rıza Bey going to Muzaffer's office to discuss the seduction of Leman, vehemently rejecting Muzaffer's offer as a matter of honor, and subsequently resigning.
Fikret's dignified and honorable stance directly clashes with her mother's corrupt flexibility, which extends as far as marketing her other daughters. As Fikret leaves home, she breaks all ties without even saying goodbye.
Fikret pushing her mother away with an angry gesture when her mother tries to hug her neck as she leaves to be married in Adapazarı.
Initially, Ali Rıza Bey is disgusted by Leyla's lifestyle and kicks her out of the house. However, battered by illness and poverty, he loses his pride and eventually surrenders, taking refuge in the order established with Leyla's 'tainted' money.
At the end of the story, the paralyzed Ali Rıza Bey teaching language to Leyla's parrot in the apartment bought with the money provided by the lawyer.
