A young and idealistic poet, graduate of the Mülkiye Mektebi (School of Political Science). Following his father's death, he takes on the full responsibility of the household, and the glamorous literary life he had dreamed of his entire life suddenly turns into a harsh nightmare. While he forms bright literary plans—the symbols of his 'blue' (Mai) dreams—and defends innovative poetry within the 'Gencîne-i Edeb' circle, he faces heavy burdens such as poverty, the necessity of translating, and his sister's troubled marriage, which constitute the 'black' side of life. Spending his nights sleepless, translating cheap pulp novels, he only seeks refuge in his friend Hüseyin Nazmi's elegant Erenköy mansion when he is in dire straits. The purest emotion in his life is his secret, lyrical, yet—due to his poverty—unnamable great love for Hüseyin Nazmi's sister, Lamia. He struggles constantly amidst continuous downfalls and brief moments of hope.
Until the age of nineteen, he lived as a brilliant student at the Mülkiye, only with dreams of art in a happy family environment. His father was a very honorable parent who hid the cruel side of life from his son. His father's death symbolizes the sudden end of both his innocent childhood and his days of ease for Ahmet Cemil. He was forced into working life and the sycophancy of journalism, which he deemed despicable.
He is a tall, slender young man with yellowish-auburn hair that falls in sweet waves from his ears to his nape. His eyes are mostly half-closed and dreamy from sleep deprivation. With fraying ties and an overcoat that has not been changed for months, he has a neat but modest appearance with which he tries to hide his poverty with dignity.
Raci
His dark rival, whom he finds unhinged, and whom he inwardly detests but pities.
Lamia
His unreachable love, before whom he dares not even move his hands.
Sabiha Hanım
His mother, whom he feels responsible for protecting, and to whom he sometimes cannot explain his literary troubles.
Hüseyin Nazmi
His only literary soulmate with whom he can discuss his life philosophy and who understands him.