An Evaluation of Emine Semiye's Novel Muallime

The novel *Muallime* was serialized in *Hanımlara Mahsus Gazete* between 1 March 1898 and 2 May 1901 and was published as a book after the author’s death. The novel has since been reissued by various publishers. Its content revolves around a network of complex relationships and intrigues. The narrative also highlights the educational methods employed by the protagonist, Muallime.

Who is Emine Semiye?

Emine Semiye was the daughter of Ahmet Cevdet Paşa and the sister of Ali Sedat and Fatma Aliye. She was born in Istanbul on 9 February 1864. Her novels, short stories, and articles were published in various newspapers and journals. She was one of the writers of *Hanımlara Mahsus Gazete*, a prominent publication in the Ottoman women’s movement. She authored the mathematics textbook *Hülasa-i İlm-i Hesap* (1891). Her literary works include the short story *Bir Müteassisenin Tefekküratı*, the novels *Terbiye-i Etfale Ait Üç Hikaye* (1895–1896), *Mükâfat-ı İlahiye* (1896–1897), *Sefalet* (1897–1898), *Bîkes* (1897), *Muallime* (1901), and *Gayya Kuyusu* (1920). After 1922, she worked as a teacher and inspector in girls’ schools. She died in 1944 at Haseki Hospital.^【1】

Content of the Novel Muallime

The novel begins with a description of the villa where the protagonist Muallime works as a boarding teacher. It then recounts how Muallime is hired to teach Refah, the spoiled child of Saadet and Muhassal Bey, who live a Westernized lifestyle. While striving to raise Refah into a sensible young woman, Muallime gradually reminds the entire family of traditional values and religious observance. In this seemingly happy household, Saadet’s only concern is that Muhassal Bey still mourns his deceased first wife and believes he loves her more than he loves Saadet. A very innocent woman, Saadet one day meets Meşhude, a beautiful but morally corrupt woman, and becomes her close friend. As Meşhude begins frequently visiting and leaving the villa, events unfold. In the second part of the novel, the narrative turns to the past to recount Muallime’s own history and that of her family. The third part returns to the timeline of the first section, and events proceed chronologically. The novel features a large cast of characters: Refah, Saadet, Muhassal Bey, Muallime, Meşhude, Azir Bey, Süheyl, Çakır Fırat, Elena, Murtaza Efendi, Kevser, Seher, Molla İdris, Macit, Lalleb, and Tahsin.

Comparison of Muallime with Aşk-ı Memnu

A significant feature of the novel is its resemblance to *Aşk-ı Memnu*. The web of relationships in *Muallime* mirrors those in Halid Ziya Uşaklıgil’s *Aşk-ı Memnu*. *Aşk-ı Memnu* was serialized in the journal *Servet-i Fünun* between 1899 and 1900 and first published as a book in 1901. *Muallime* was serialized in *Hanımlara Mahsus Gazete* between 1898 and 1901. Serialization of *Muallime* began before that of *Aşk-ı Memnu* but concluded after it. Given their overlapping serialization dates, it is likely that the weekly installments of both novels influenced each other. Considering the similarities in their networks of relationships and plot structures, there must have been mutual influence between the two works.

The plot and characters in the first section of *Muallime* closely resemble those in *Aşk-ı Memnu*. Below is a comparison of corresponding characters in both novels.

Education in Muallime

In the novel, Muallime Bihbûde’s approach to teaching and her professional conduct are characterized by the following traits: she imparts theoretical knowledge to her students, supports their moral development, cultivates empathy, reminds them of their religious duties, serves as a role model through her own behavior, actively helps resolve her student’s family problems, and delivers instructive lessons. In short, she is a teacher at all times and in all places. The novel also addresses the educational system of the period and the influence of literature on education.

The Influence of Literature on Education

Education is not limited to theoretical knowledge; it also involves shaping behavior. The novel provides numerous examples of this. Samur Ferhat Bey became a bandit, murdering his father and countless others and stealing their property. Yet he came to regret all his actions through literature. Thus, literature can bring forth the goodness within a person. Even someone as morally corrupt as Samur Ferhat Bey was moved emotionally upon hearing a mersiye, became aware of his own wicked character, and felt remorse for his past misdeeds. This remorse, combined with other events, led him to abandon his life of banditry and begin working at Muhassal Bey’s villa.