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)”
Tags: Authority, Betrayal, Death, Love, Themes, Thief and the Dogs
March 7, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Perhaps the experience of the “rich” hospital not accepting his dying mother created the mentality that it is justified to steal from wealthy people.