69. Today in 1920s Turkey: 12 March 1925 (The Young and the Restless)

(Cartoon by Ahmet Münif, Akbaba or “Vulture/White-Bearded Old Man,” 12 March 1925, no. 237, page 3.)

Comments:
Ahmet Münif’s cartoon presents the viewer with a young, wealthy couple. Their elevated socio-economic status is apparent from their dress and the conspicuous display of luxury items such as cigars, pearls, and fur coats. The silhouette of a domed, multi-minaret mosque in the background places this couple in the bustling, yet picturesque city of Istanbul.

The text below the cartoon reveals to us the fickle nature of the young couple’s relationship when the woman beats the man to the punch (line):

English:
Man: What would you say if I cheated on you?
Woman: I’d say you were taking revenge!

Türkçe:
Erkek: Sana hiyanet edersem ne dersin?
Kadın: İntikam alıyorsun derim!

(Comments continued)
In this way, the quick-witted woman preemptively punishes the man for even thinking of cheating on her by suggesting that she would be unfaithful to him long before he had the opportunity to cheat on her. The couple’s excessive material possessions displayed on their persons is meant to add to their shallow personalities and inability to commit to any one person. They are both insatiable consumers of things and people.

The complexities of romantic relationships is an oft-explored subject in 1920s cartoons in Turkey. Various degrees of infidelity have taken front stage in a few cartoons from previous posts. A New Years themed cartoon featuring a woman hiding her affair from her husband was the subject of post #46 (Santa: Deliverer of Gifts AND Love Letters?). Post #57 (Suspicious Hearts), on the other hand deals with unrealistic marital paranoia. And post #56 (The Ugly Husband) illustrates the needs of a modern “material girl” whose love can be sold to the highest bidder… or at least to a man who has his own place. Needless to say, women do not always get the last laugh in these exchanges as is demonstrated in post #44 (Football Before Females) where this time the man puts his sports entertainment needs ahead of romance.

(Entire page, Akbaba or “Vulture/White-Bearded Old Man,” 12 March 1925, no. 237, page 3.)