What does Sheik al Junaydi represent in The Thief and the Dogs? How is he significant to the characterization of Said Mahran? How does he contribute to the themes of the text?
Naguib Mhfouz's "The Thief and the Dogs" is a work of Arabic fiction that is accompanied by many characters. As previously mentioned in other blog posts, the novel centers around the main protagonist, Said Mahran, who is the driving force behind the plot and the revealing actions that take place. Through the combination of Said's internal monologues and external occurrences, we are introduced to other essential characters in the novel, all of whom play a role in the character development of Said. Throughout the novel, the character of Sheik al Junaydi plays a significant role in decontextualising the characterization of Said Mahran, as he puts his emotions into words, and contributes to creating a better understanding of the psychological state of the character.
Throughout the novel, Sheik al Junaydi plays a minor character, but yet manages to provide an an in depth perspective onto the character of Said Mahran. As the plot revolves around the way Said's internal monologues carry it out, the insight of another character provides the readers with a unique literary lens. “Said rested his head with its short, wiry hair on his dark, thin hand”. The character of the Sheik is wise, spiritual, and respectable as he appears to be a valued definition of purity. In contrast to Said's character, the Sheik can be viewed as one that FOILS Said.
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Naguib Mhfouz's "The Thief and the Dogs" is a work of Arabic fiction that is accompanied by many characters. As previously mentioned in other blog posts, the novel centers around the main protagonist, Said Mahran, who is the driving force behind the plot and the revealing actions that take place. Through the combination of Said's internal monologues and external occurrences, we are introduced to other essential characters in the novel, all of whom play a role in the character development of Said. Throughout the novel, the character of Sheik al Junaydi plays a significant role in decontextualising the characterization of Said Mahran, as he puts his emotions into words, and contributes to creating a better understanding of the psychological state of the character.
Throughout the novel, Sheik al Junaydi plays a minor character, but yet manages to provide an an in depth perspective onto the character of Said Mahran. As the plot revolves around the way Said's internal monologues carry it out, the insight of another character provides the readers with a unique literary lens. “Said rested his head with its short, wiry hair on his dark, thin hand”. The character of the Sheik is wise, spiritual, and respectable as he appears to be a valued definition of purity. In contrast to Said's character, the Sheik can be viewed as one that FOILS Said.
Example from text:
Sheik al Junaydi's sense of moral wisdom and justice further presents his character as one that is quite respectable and provides the key to answers that Said may be searching for. His wise words tell Said that "the world is unaware of him who is unaware of it", another example on how the Sheik puts Said's emotions into words. As it is highlighted that Said is on a quest for revenge, the Sheik tells him to "leave revenge" and turn the other cheek, to turn to god. This only further supports the worthiness of the Sheik and the truth in his words. As it is discovered later on in the novel, Said choses to continue on the path of revenge and fails to conform to the Sheik's words of wisdom. Furthermore, this provides a more in depth perspective from the reader and the way in which they view Said. Additionally, it allows the reader to question the protagonist's morals and gain a sense of clarity when justifying his actions.
The Sheikh highly contributes to the themes of fate vs free will as his character examines where both themes clash and results in the fall of a tragic hero. When Said first meets with the Sheikh, he is certain that he is destined for revenge against those who have done him wrong and betrayed him. Considering the wise words of the Sheikh and Said's negative response to them, Said is further characterized as a stubborn and angry character who is trapped in his own version of reality.
In conclusion, the characterization of Said Mahran is presented through a unique lens through the character of Sheikh al Junaydi. Mahfouz's use of indirect characterization through the use of using both characters as a foil to each other, where their conflicting qualities meet in the middle and are used to unravel certain key aspects of the character's deepest qualities. Hence, it can be said that the character of Sheikh al Junaydi not only characterizes Said's character, but also highly contributes to many driving themes of the text such as fate and free will. His inability to break through to Said's deepest inner monologues failed Said in the end as he is faced with the faults of a tragic hero.
In conclusion, the characterization of Said Mahran is presented through a unique lens through the character of Sheikh al Junaydi. Mahfouz's use of indirect characterization through the use of using both characters as a foil to each other, where their conflicting qualities meet in the middle and are used to unravel certain key aspects of the character's deepest qualities. Hence, it can be said that the character of Sheikh al Junaydi not only characterizes Said's character, but also highly contributes to many driving themes of the text such as fate and free will. His inability to break through to Said's deepest inner monologues failed Said in the end as he is faced with the faults of a tragic hero.
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