Discourse Analysis of the Movie Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalım: A Study on Gender Roles and İdeological Structures

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the film Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalım, a cultural cornerstone of Turkish cinema, in the context of gender roles and ideological structures. The film explores universal themes such as love, loyalty, freedom, and responsibility, while also reflecting how these themes are shaped within a societal and cultural framework. The research focuses on the dialogues of the main characters—İlyas, Asya, and Cemşit—and examines how their expressions reveal their inner worlds, social roles, and ideological perspectives. The study employs qualitative research methods, particularly discourse analysis. Data were collected from the film’s script and dialogues, and thematic analysis was used to evaluate the characters’ approaches to themes of love, freedom, and responsibility. The findings reveal İlyas’s internal conflict between love and freedom, Asya’s determination and mature perspective on love, and Cemşit’s selfless and compassionate attitude. These findings enrich the film’s thematic depth and illuminate how gender roles and ideological structures in Turkish society are portrayed. Furthermore, the results offer a valuable framework for understanding the historical and cultural context of male and female roles in Turkish cinema.