The Thief and the Dogs, Chapter 12

Chapter 12 – A sense of place

In Chapter 12, the setting is placed both in Nur’s apartment and Tarzan’s coffeehouse. In this chapter, Nur’s apartment is seen as and referred to as a “hideout” (239), despite it being his past home. Though Nur’s apartment may be considered both a hideout and home for Said, using her apartment for a hideout is more suitable. Said describes the apartment as “the solitude, the dark, the waiting.” The use of this description implies certain loneliness and isolation as an anxiety emerges. Foreshadowing is portrayed with the use of the word “dark”, almost as if an unwanted event will occur soon enough. Nur’s apartment is seen only as a refuge to Said, as he hides himself from the world. Nur’s point of view of the setting is also seen in the quote on page 241, “It must be torture to wait in the dark.” The solitude and seclusion that Said feels is lifted as he finds comfort in Nur’s presence through her understanding. Though the setting of Tarzans’ coffeehouse remains the same, the change of tone in Chapter 12 creates danger for Said to be there. A tension occurs as Said walks through the door as Tarzan says, “..my café is no longer safe for you.” The setting of Cairo is now perceived as Tarzan breaks news to Said, warning him to “go into hiding. But forget about trying to get out of Cairo for a while.” (pg.238.) The danger of Cairo for Said is seen in the quote, “they’ve got all the government forces in the area stirred up against you.” Tarzan ends his role in Chapter 12 by suggesting to Said that they may “meet again—outside the café—anytime you wish” seen on the same page. Also, a cultural reference is seen in the quote, “Most Egyptians neither fear nor dislike thieves.” (241) A stereotype is seen as Said generalizes the population that see him as a “storybook hero.”

Chapter 12 – Themes

Danger –“You’ve killed someone! How terrible! Didn’t I please with you?” – “What’s the use when you’ve committed a murder?” (pg. 237-238.)

“They made such a lot of noise to everyone about your past raids that they’ve got all the government forces in the area stirred up against you.” (239)

Betrayal –“You taught me to love reading. You discussed everything with me, as if I were your equal. I was one of your listeners—at the foot f the same tree where the history of my love began—and the times themselves were listening to you, too” (240)

“Are you really the same one? The Rauf Ilwan who owns a mansion? You’re the fox behind the newspaper campaign? You, too, want to kill me, to murder your conscience ad the past as well.” (240)

Revenge – “But I won’t die before I’ve killed you: you’re the number one traitor.” “If there’s going to be any meaning to life—and to death, too—I simply have to kill you” (240)

Love/Acceptance towards Nur – “Her presence dispelled his own gloom and exhaustion, made him ready again to embrace what life had to offer: food, drink, and news.”

“She kissed him, and for the first time, he responded spontaneously, with a sense of gratitude, knowing her now to be the person closest to him for as long as he might live” “He wished she’d never leave.” (241)

Chapter 12 – Characterization

In Chapter 12, we are not introduced to any new character. In Chapter 12, Said’s obstacles are laid out before him. The progress in the plot develops a sense of danger and anxiety for Said as authorities are now searching for him as if he were the first criminal. Said’s accomplices are now limited to only Nur and Tarzan. However, Tarzan’s café is no longer safe as mentioned in this chapter. These obstacles Said now faces are due to the newspapers that are distributed around Cairo. The newspapers are produced by Rauf, Said’s mentor. This sparks an indisputable anger that is carried on to the next chapters. The betrayal Said feels is characterized by Rauf’s actions. Said directs all the issues that are raised to Rauf, blaming him. To Said, to end the obstacles, he must kill Rauf. Said’s betrayal is seen mostly on page 239, where he is seen reminiscing on his life with Rauf as his mentor. We feel sympathy for Said as he reaches a desperation in which he pleads, “Rauf Ilwan, tell me how it is that time can bring such terrible changes to people!” Here, the blame is set on time and how it has evolved through the years of Said’s life. This confusion, anger, and lust for vengeance is seen in Chapter 12, as it foreshadows upcoming events in the next chapters.

Chapter 12 – Imagery

Imagery is not abundant in Chapter 12. The first use of this literary technique is on page 238, when Said replies to Nur, “For the storm to blow over.” This emphasizes the character of the society and the outside world as cold, strong, and in for destruction. However, this also emphasizes that there is an after of the storm and that there is a calm. The idea of the “storm” is seen again further down the page. On page 239, the character of a “national hero of [Said]” is created. Here Said is using imagery to attach attributes such as invincibility and strength to his character. Also on the same page, the quote “Rauf Ilwan would never rest until the noose was around his neck”. The noose imagery is used to represent death and murder for Rauf. The noose is known as the hangman’s halter that tightens around the neck as the rope is pulled to suffocate. “Your stirring voice, [stretching yourself] downward toward my ears as I sat at my father’s feet in the courtyard of the building, with a force to awake the very soul” on page 239, describes how Rauf was to Said before Rauf’s job as a paparazzi for the newspaper. This use of imagery describes the strength Rauf had over Said. The “force” Rauf has represents the power his words contained that awoke Said’s soul. As in many chapters prior, animal imagery is dominant. The animal imagery begins on page 240, with the quote “You’d roar with delighted laughter at my success.” Here, Said describes his fanfare by Rauf as that of a roar from a lion. Further down the page is the quote, “The day you were imprisoned you rose up in my eyes to the very sky, higher still when you protected me the first time..” This emphasizes the characteristics of an eagle or a hawk representing Rauf and his protective qualities that effect Said. The last use of animal imagery is seen on age 241, where the common reference to a ‘dog’ is seen. “They do have an instinctive dislike for dogs.” This describes the Egyptians’ preference towards dogs. The character of dogs in this novel, however, display attributes of a thief and antagonist that are frowned upon. However, like her relationship with Said, Nur “like[s] dogs.” This emphasizes her love for Said.

Chapter 12 – Plot Development

In Chapter 12, Said finishes his uniform and Nur discovers how he killed someone, which upsets her greatly. Said reassures Nur that they will escape and make her dream of love and of a good life come to reality. The next day, Said tries to go to Tarzan’s café, however is told by Tarzan that it is too dangerous due to the current newspaper and sends him home. Said’s anger erupts as Rauf is responsible for the newspaper which is making life more difficult. However, Said’s anger deepens as he feels a sense of betrayal by Rauf, his former inspiration for learning and revolution in Said, as well as encouraging him to be a thief. Nur returns back to her apartment showing no sign of sadness. Said finds himself happy, despite the current predicament he is in, and genuinely enjoys her company. They discuss Said’s status as a hero among the people, bringing up Nur’s past where Nur reveals that her name is Shalabiyya and that she had lied about her past which seems to anger Said.

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