A psychoanalytic apporach to the literary oeuvre of Barış Bıçakçı

Barış Bıçakçı is a prominent figure among contemporary Turkish writers. Born in 1966 in Adana, he pursued his education in Ankara. After completing his degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Middle East Technical University, Bıçakçı began his literary career. His initial interest in literature was rooted in poetry, which later expanded to include novels and short stories. Bıçakçı's engagement with the arts extends beyond literature, also encompassing cinema. In addition to his work as a screenwriter, he has gained experience as an assistant director. Moreover, it is crucial to acknowledge Bıçakçı's contributions to scientific discourse, particularly his work as a translator of scientific texts. In his literary works, Bıçakçı addresses the social issues faced by individuals living in mass housing, while simultaneously exploring the psychological processes of the individual. The protagonists in Bıçakçı's narratives are often depicted as individuals overwhelmed by urban existence, trapped between the forces of power and societal expectations. Within the framework of psychoanalysis, it is understood that the individual represses their experiences within the symbolic order, relegating them to the unconscious. These repressed experiences are subsequently reflected in the artist's work. In this context, the psychological processes undergone by the protagonists in Bıçakçı's novels and short stories have been analyzed through the theoretical lenses of Freud and Lacan.