September Summary and Analysis

The next dated entry is September 16th. By this time, the bond has been broken. Johannes likens it to his freeing a bird. He notes that the aunt was shocked by the news but would not force Cordelia to maintain the engagement. Cordelia leaves to spend time in the country. The two keep us some communication through letters, but he wishes to stay distant so that she can engage in the necessary hatred of men.

He then reproduces a letter. In it, he asks Cordelia to imagine what everyone is saying about them. He encloses a portrait for her and practically asks her to hate it.

Johannes is happy that their engagement ended in autumn; it is a sad time, for which sad matters are appropriate. The season will harmonize with Cordelia's soul. This harmonization would be undone if he were...