Sense of Place

In this chapter, location does not play much of a role other than adding authenticity. Names of certain locations are thrown in like jargon in order to enhance the cultural feel of the novel. For example, Nur’s home is located in Sharia Najm al-Din. This is a very exotic name and it indicates a setting in a Middle-Eastern country, in this case Egypt. Another example of how names are used to add authenticity to the novel is when Said is taking a walk. Mahfouz states that he is walking towards Sharia Masani.
The other possible role that sense of location plays is shown during Said’s monologue. As Said discusses his personal history, he is looking at the graveyard. By having him look at the graveyard while Said is discussing death enhances the already grim and morose tone of the first half of the chapter.

Characterization

In this chapter Rauf Ilwan is discussed in much more detail than in the other chapters. Said recalls when Rauf saved him and mentored him. “…Rauf Ilwan turned up and freed you, settling the matter without any further complications. You were a true human being then, Rauf, and you were my teacher, too. (Mahfouz, 232)” Said’s firsthand account helps develop the character of Rauf Ilwan as it show Rauf’s past personality was substantially better, at least in Said’s eyes.
Another character that is developed by Said’s recollections is the Sheikh. Said expresses his admiration for the Sheikh, citing his kind and caring attributes. “The Sheikh greeted you with that sweet and kindly look of his. (Mahfouz, 230)” He also recalls the praise that the Sheikh gave to his father. “There’s a lot of intelligence in his eyes. His heart is as spotless as yours. (Mahfouz, 230)” According to Said, the Sheikh is a compassionate individual who can find good in anybody.
Said’s character is also developed in this chapter, especially when he finds a badly hurt Nur. In this instance, Said begins to have feelings towards Nur, in contrast to his usually cold attitude. “This was the first time that Said had seen her cry and was deeply moved. (Mahfouz, 235)” Another instance where Said’s character contradicts his usually cold and harsh attitude is when he praises both the Sheik and Rauf Ilwan, going so far as to say “you loved him as you did the Sheik Ali, perhaps even more. (Mahfouz, 231)” This shows that Said may have been the intelligent and sin-free person that the Sheik described him to be.
This chapter is also one of the first times that Nur’s character develops substantially. As Said tries to console her, she tells him that a fortune teller told her that there will be “security [and] peace of mind. (Mahfouz, 236)” She expresses her frustration and doubt about the prophecy, saying, “Some fortune-teller! When is she going to tell the truth? (Mahfouz, 236)” In this instance, Nur shows a more agitated and angry side, in contrast to her usually sweet, caring tone. This new attitude of Nur continues until the end of the chapter, where she tells Said angrily, “You are treating me like a child! (Mahfouz, 236)”
One of the minor characters that is developed is Tarzan. When Said enters the café of Tarzan, he initiates a conversation between a smuggler and Tarzan. As he and the smuggler joke about the police, Tarzan feels that he saw a person hiding in the bushes and spying on the café. When the smuggler jokes that Tarzan is just hallucinating, Tarzan suddenly gets very angry, yelling, “Do you think that the Hangman’s rope is some sort of joke? (Mahfouz, 230)” This shows that Tarzan is much more serious and concerned in regards to the police and other authority than Said or the smuggler.

Themes

Betrayal is one of the first themes that the reader encounters in this chapter. During Said’s internal monologue, he mentions Rauf Ilwan multiple times, citing the instances that he has helped Said and how true his values were. “’Isn’t it justice,’ he’d shouted, ‘that what is taken by theft should be retrieved by theft?’ (Mahfouz, 232)” Said then likens Rauf’s change of ideology to his wife’s betrayal. “Where have all your principles gone now, Rauf? Dead… like my wife’s fidelity. (Mahfouz, 232)”
Another dominant theme is this chapter is death. Most of Said’s internal monologue consists of the story of how his parents died. “A month later your mother had died in the Kasr al-Aini Hospital.” Note the use of second –person perspective; perhaps he is expressing sympathy for himself. Throughout Said’s melodramatic moment, Said is looking at a graveyard. “Not a day passes without the graveyard accepting new guests. (Mahfouz, 229)” Not only is the graveyard heavily symbolic of death, it adds to the dark and melancholic tone of the chapter.
In addition, the theme of love is also covered in this chapter. When Said finds that Nur is badly hurt, he begins to feel passion for her, as it is indicated that Said “wanted to caress her. (235)” While Said has expressed sympathy for Nur before, this is the first time that Said has felt an emotional urge to comfort and console her. It is also indicated that Said caresses Nur’s leg.
One of the more interesting themes within this chapter is theft. As Said converses with the smuggler in Tarzan’s café, the smuggler says “You know, I’ve heard many people express their admiration for you. (Mahfouz, 234) ” The waiter adds, “But what harm is there in stealing from the rich anyway? (Mahfouz, 234)” Then Said is described as beaming “as if he was receiving a compliment at some public reception in his honor. (Mahfouz, 234)” This justification of theft, commonly known as the “Robin Hood” justification, is very common in the novel and is shown in this chapter by the above examples.
The final predominant theme in this chapter is authority. Said first mentions his disgust for authority while recalling how his mother died. In an attempt to save his mom’s life, he brought her to a high-end hospital, but was then rejected and abandoned by the doctor. “Then the doctor had simply disappeared, saying nothing. (Mahfouz, 231)” The disgust of authority is further exemplified in a statement made by a smuggler conversing with Said in Tarzan’s café. “Nothing impresses the police. (Mahfouz, 234)”

Imagery

Imagery:
Like most of the previous chapters, the main literary device used is animal imagery. Mahfouz utilizes animal imagery to achieve different effects. For example, when Said is walking in the streets, he states that, “He now knew how mice and foxes feel, slipping away on the run. (Mahfouz, 233)” In this instance, Mahfouz uses animal imagery to establish a dark and unsettling tone as well as convey Said’s uncomfortable feeling. Another example where animal imagery is used is when Said returns to Nur’s room to find Nur beaten. As he tenderly strokes her leg, he mutters “The dogs! (235)” Like many other instances, Said uses dogs in a derogatory tone to show his disgust for the people who beat up Nur.

Plot

In the beginning of the chapter, Said is watching the graveyard, recollecting his childhood. He remembers how his mom and dad were, as well as his first encounter with the Sheikh. He then painfully recalls when his dad died, and then the even more tragic death of his mother. He also recalls how Rauf Ilwan provided help to him before when he was in need. Suddenly, feeling the urge to walk, he goes out to Tarzan’s café and has a conversation with a smuggler. Going back to Nur’s residence, he finds Nur in a terrible state, beaten by students. Nur then tells Said that she visited a fortune-teller. The fortune-teller told her that there will be “security [and] peace of mind. (Mahfouz, 236)” While she expresses her doubts, she tells Said that she wants a life like that.