The son of Mustafa Merakî Efendi; encouraged by his father, he is an extremely spoiled, uneducated type who thinks he is a highly cultured intellectual. He supposedly finished middle school (Rüştiye) and is an official at the bureau, but he rarely goes to work; he spends most of his time in Western-style theaters in Beyoğlu, at shops, and at flashy social invitations. He has adopted the name 'Platon' just for titles, but has no capacity to understand what he reads. He has books custom-bound and placed on shelves just for show. After his father dies, he wastes most of the half-million francs he inherited on harlots like the French actress Polini. By the end of the work, he falls into a pitiful state and is forced to leave Istanbul with the small remaining fortune and a simple district governorship (mutasarrıflık) title obtained from the state.
His father, Mustafa Merakî, married at 16, and by the age of 45, fully succumbed to Westernization whims, sold his mansion, and settled near Beyoğlu. He grew up in an atmosphere of lazy, unlimited financial means and completely undisciplined fake modernity at the hands of such a father.
A young man of medium height, slight build, fair-skinned, with beauty 'enough for women to find attractive' in terms of facial features. The clothes he wears are always copied from the latest pictures of European fashion; he is constantly seen with his cane, tight trousers, and strange custom-tailored outfits.
Râkım Efendi
Zijn rivaal, die hij nooit heeft begrepen en meestal veracht, maar wiens succes hij heimelijk benijdt.
Matmazel Polini
Zijn Franse minnares, die hem als saffraan uitbuit en financieel leegzuigt.
Mustafa Merakî Efendi
Zijn enige geldschieter, die hem in diepe onwetendheid verafgoodt en van wie hij zijn pronkzuchtige aanstellerij heeft geërfd.