Ecocritical Reflections: Post-Anthropocentrism in Bilge Karasu's The Prey

In his attempt to critique anthropocentrism and speciesism, Bilge Karasu, a postmodern Turkish writer, problematizes the relationship between human and nonhuman entities. In "The Prey," one of the short stories in The Garden of Departed Cats (2003), Karasu employs surrealist and unnatural narrativity to disrupt the mimetic illusion considered by many posthumanist scholars as essential for the formation of new subjectivities. Through a narrative rich in figurative language and metafictional elements, Karasu engages with the complexities of species hierarchy, power relations and the redefinition of love. Surrealistically, set against the backdrop of variable weather conditions, the story questions human superiority over nature, highlighting the vulnerability and interdependence of all beings. Initially viewing the fish as a burden, the fisherman's journey parallels his childhood memory of encountering a snake, leading to a profound realization of the fish's capacity for affection and suffering. As empathy grows, so does the fisherman's ability to comprehend the language of the animal, culminating in a physical and spiritual metamorphosis upon their union. Through exploration of human cruelty and the possibility of harmony with nonhuman animals, the story highlights and subtly critiques the nature of humanity. Thus, by depicting a unification between human and nonhuman, "The Prey" suggests that genuine humanity lies in embracing interconnectedness and fostering equality-based relationships with the animal other. © 2025 Cyprus International University. All rights reserved.