Said’s “confidence in everything” has gone (p.266). He is tired, hungry and running out of ideas. Once again his conversation with the Sheikh provides no answers and he puffs “in exasperation” at the Sheikh’s remarks, concluding, ironically, that “the Sheikh will always find something appropriate to say.” (p.269). He thinks about Nur and hopes that “good luck will protect [her] if [she finds] neither justice nor mercy.”(p.269). But he is also absorbed with having forgotten the uniform. However, part of his obsession may be also to protect Nur.
The Sheikh once again is a source of enigmatic spiritual comments which both the reader and Said find difficult to understand. He provides a calm opposition to Said’s troubled state of mind and perhaps provides a sense of the calm before the storm of the final chapter. He does show emotion on two occasions. On page 269 there is a sense of melancholy and in recognition of Said’s father he sighs sadly.
Chapter Seventeen – Characterisation
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