September, as Turkish original name is Eylül, one of the significant works of Turkish literature, is a psychological novel penned by Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil, which deeply examines individuals' inner conflicts, societal pressures, love, and loyalty. While skillfully addressing the social structure of its time and the emotional worlds of individuals, the novel meticulously reveals the psychological analyses and internal turmoil of its characters. September is considered one of the first examples of the psychological novel in Turkish literature.

Subject

September tells a story of love and inner conflicts centered around three main characters: Süreyya, Suat, and Necip. Süreyya is a man who cannot devote enough time to his wife due to his devotion to his work. Suat, feeling lonely due to this deficiency, forms an emotional bond with Necip. Necip harbors deep feelings for Suat, but the pressure of societal norms and their consciences prevents these feelings from becoming physical. The events intensify in a summer house on the Bosphorus, and the novel concludes with Suat's tragic death. The work, focusing on love, remorse, and inner turmoil, conveys important messages about the social structure of the period.

Character Analysis

• Süreyya: An overly devoted to work, emotionally deficient man. He reinforces his wife Suat's feeling of loneliness by not showing her enough attention. Süreyya's inner conflict is shaped by his addiction to work and his indifference towards his wife.
• Suat: Although she loves Süreyya, she experiences an emotional void due to his indifference. The relationship she forms with Necip is a result of her search for loneliness. Suat constantly experiences inner conflicts due to the pressures of society and conscience.
• Necip: An intellectual personality, Necip harbors deep feelings for Suat, but societal norms and his conscience force him to suppress these feelings. He is a character caught between love and conscience.

Philosophical and Psychological Aspects

September deeply examines individuals' inner conflicts, emotional evolution, and processes of coping with societal pressures. Themes of love, loyalty, loneliness, and conscience come to the forefront. The characters are trapped between individual freedom and societal norms, and these conflicts constitute the psychological depth of the novel.

Themes

• Love and Loyalty: The novel questions the depth of love and conflicts related to loyalty through the relationship between Suat and Necip. The balance between Suat's devotion to Süreyya and her feelings for Necip explores the boundaries of love.
• Loneliness and Inner Conflict: Suat's feeling of loneliness forms the core of her internal turmoil and emotional void. This loneliness manifests itself in her relationships with Süreyya and Necip.
• Societal Values and Conscience: Love and emotional attraction are in constant conflict with societal norms and conscience. Suat and Necip are forced to suppress their emotional attachment, while delving into deep thoughts about conscience and societal values.
• Tragic End: At the end of the novel, Suat's death in a fire brings the story to a tragic close. This ending is a profound reflection of love and inner conflicts.

Literary Techniques and Narrative Style

In the novel September, Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil effectively uses techniques of inner monologue and emotional analysis to reveal the psychological depth of the characters. A realist language and the depiction of social conflicts stand out in the narrative. The novel meticulously processes the inner evolution of the characters, presenting an important example of the psychological novel genre.