The Bastard of Istanbul

In the novel “The Bastard of Istanbul,” there were several themes that Elif Shafak expresses when telling the stories of Asya and Armanoush’s families. When writing this novel, Elif depicts three important themes that pertain to their families; these themes are the importance of one’s heritage and women’s portrayal in society. In this novel Elif Shafak portrays both a Turkish and Armenian family, showing both similarities and differences in their heritage and women’s portrayal. Overall, due to their upbringing, Armanoush and Asya delve into their past uncovering the Armenian Genocide.

During this time frame, the Armenian inhabitance of Turkey were persecuted and massacred because of their race. She uncovers that the Ottoman government was arresting and imprisoning Armenian’s, including intellects and leaders, within the community. Overall, any Armenian during this time frame was arrested, persecuted, and were eventually killed. The Ottoman government planned on exterminating as much of the Armenian race as possible.

Not long after the round up of Armenian intellects, there was a law passed allowing the Ottoman military to deport Armenian civilians. This law was known as the Tehcir Law and was passed by the Grand Vizier as well as his cabinet. Overall, this deportation act was passed in order to aid in the extermination of the Armenian race. This is seen when the Ottoman soldiers would export the Armenian civilians to death camps in order to perform acts of violence leading to death. Not long after this law was passed, the Law of Confiscations was passed. This law was passed on September thirteenth, nineteen-fifteen, enabling the Ottoman government to strip any Armenian civilian of their property.