Your responses need to be between 4 to 6 sentences.
Due Dates:
B1/B2 - Monday, 1/17 - Before class
A4 - Tuesday, 1/18 - Before class
1. Where does Said go to seek shelter? Why does he go there?
2. Compare and contrast the Sheikh and Said. What is different and or similar?
3. Why do you believe the Sheikh tells Said that in fact he has not returned from jail (Mahfouz 28)?
4. This section is full of contrasts. Find one and explain what is contrasted. Use quotes as support.
5. Explain the title and how it applies to the novel.
6. Give specific reasons why Said's meeting with Rauf was so strained. What had changed between them?
7. Predict where you think their relationship will lead and explain your reasoning.
1. Said goes to the Sheikh of his father to seek shelter. Probably Said's visit is out of his natural longing for the past, and nice (maybe somewhat beautified) memories felt with nostalgia. Also, since his daughter has disowned him, he doesn't have either emotional or physical shelter to rest, except for the Sheikh's place. Said perhaps goes to the Sheikh's place, seeking for comfort and sympathy of the Sheikh for his misfortune and daughter's rejection, although he gets none in the end. But, as Said himself says "What other refuge have I [Said]" (Mahfouz 33).
ReplyDelete2. Said and the Sheikh are very different characters, yet share some similarities. Whereas the Sheikh seeks refuge from the religion and emits the aura of a pious sage, Said schemes for the revenge, rather concerned with secular thoughts. On the other hands, to me, both of them seem pretty much aloof from the real world. They are not really adjusted to the real world as Ilish and his friends are. Said comments that the Sheikh "is lost in heaven", but Said, too, is lost in his vengeance and hatred (Mahfouz 33).
3. The Sheikh tells Said that he has not returned from jail, and although I am not so confident about the reason, I believe the Sheikh implies that Said has not really atoned for his sin. The Sheikh may have sensed how Said is still blinded to his fault and tries to admonish Said to be more penitent, that he can start his life anew. I guess the Sheikh may have used jail as a reference to describe dark emotions such as vengeance and hatred. In that case, the Sheikh may have meant that Said has not overcome his hatred and thus returning is the same thing as staying in the jail, since Said is still not free from his past.
4. There are many contrasts shown in this section, including the contrast between Said's yearning for the comfort of his childhood and seeking for revenge. Said comes to the Sheikh's place out of nostalgia and seeking for comfort and innocence he has once had as a child; "Said found himself bending over his hand to kiss it, suppressing tears of nostalgia for his father, his boyish hopes, the innocent purity of the distant past" (Mahfouz 26). However, at the same time, his mind is preoccupied with his hatred and uneasiness as he plans to revenge such as to his wife who "committed adultery with my [his] man" (Mahfouz 32).
5. The title applies to the novel perfectly in how it simply summarizes and compresses the story into five words. The thief refers to Said, who went to jail for stealing, whereas the dogs perhaps refer to the people who have betrayed Said. Said often calls Ilsh a dog in disdain, for how Ilsh has been so loyal to him like a dog, but betrayed him like a dog (as a cursing word). Other than Ilsh, there are his wife, and Rauf, whom Said believes have fallen to the level of animals due to their betrayal. I believe the title applies to the story as it explains the relationship between Said and the traitors.
ReplyDelete6. Said and Rauf's meeting was so strained, because they have changed so much. Rauf used to be a poor, but honest writer who supported Said's thievery; Rauf's Said's mentor and friend. However, by the time Said is released from the prison, Rauf has "actually changed so much that only a shadow of the old self remained" and become rich man himself (Mahfouz 41). They both realize how different they have become and that they no longer share the same ideals. The meeting, where the uneasiness from the changes is covered with a slight bit of courtesy must be awkward and restrained.
7. I believe their relationship will lead to Said's revenge on Rauf for betraying their past ideals and friendship. There is a line in the book where it says "What if Rauf should prove to have betrayed those ideas? He would then have to pay dearly for it" (Mahfouz 41). This indicates that Said's decision to punish Rauf if Rauf's betrayal is to be confirmed. Now it has become clear, I think Said will try to steal from Rauf, especially since Said eyes carefully on Rauf's house and every single details there. Despite Rauf's wish not to be involved with his old friend, Said will surely try to bring Rauf down.
1) Said goes to seek shelter in Sheikh’s house. The reason is because he couldn’t think of anywhere else to go. Said says to Sheikh that “there is nowhere else in the world to go” (Mahfouz 27). I think that that quote has some truth in it, but I also think that Said wanted to tell someone of his misfortune. Maybe thinking that it would cool him off.
ReplyDelete2) Said and Sheikh are, in my opinion, very different people. But that’s not to say that they don’t share similarities. Said prefers to waste his time looking back at his misfortune where as Sheikh seems to only look ahead, to what is to come. On the other hand, their method of solving problems might be different, but they both feel the urge to make right what ever has fallen out of place.
3) As Sheikh said those words, he was shaking his head and speaking with a sorrowful voice. As Said implies, I think that those words have a “double meaning” (Mahfouz 28). In saying those words, I think that Sheikh was really trying to express his sorrow. As if to say “something like that should never have happened to you”.
4) Said seeks comfort in Sheikh while Sheikh seeks comfort in his religion. As Said tells Sheikh of his misfortune, and of how he has “nowhere else on earth “ for him to go, Sheikh answers with a phrase that even I don’t quite understand (mahfouz 29). The answer that Sheikh gave Said was “You seek a roof, not an answer” (mahfouz 29). I think that the contrast that I’m trying to make is very clear here. Said is seeking a roof while Sheikh would seek an answer within his religion.
5) The title “the theft and the dogs” fits this story quite nicely. The “theft” obviously refers to Said while the dogs refer to the people that Said is trying to take revenge on. A thief could easily kill, or take revenge on dogs. So I think it’s safe to assume that Said will succeed in taking revenge regardless of what whether that is what he really wanted.
6) Before said had gone to jail, he and Rauf were “of the same rank”, but now Rauf has become a wealthy man with a respectable position in society while Said has, if anything, lost his former social rank. I believe that this is one of the main reasons why there is tension between them. Another reason might be the years that they were apart form each other. Or perhaps the manners/habits that Said that learned in Jail.
7) I think that the fragile relationship that they are maintaining now will slowly decay. I don’t think that men with a great rank difference, at that time could become close friends. Another reason would be the different destines that each one is choosing. Said is living for one reason, to take revenge while Rauf’s aim for his life is to be a successful businessman.
Daniel Snow B1
1) He seeks shelter in the house of his late father’s Sheikh, Sheikh Al al-Junaydi’s house. He is fresh out of jail, and after being betrayed and rejected, has nowhere to turn too. The Sheikh’s house is his last resort, in which he can recall “the scene (scenes) of so many pleasant memories” (Mahfouz 25). The fact that he feels closer to his father in this place may be another reason behind his choice, for he is lonely and heartbroken from his daughter’s rejection.
ReplyDelete2) Said and the Sheikh have very different characteristics; Said is full of his emotions, whether it be fury towards Ilish or love towards Sana, compared to the Sheikh’s profound calmness. The Sheikh has accomplished what Said’s father had believed must be learnt here; to “look and listen, learn and open your heart” (Mahfouz 25). Said is still controlled by his emotions rather than leaving his fate up to God, like the Sheikh.
3) I think the Sheikh means that Said has not returned from jail, because he means that Said is still captured within a place where he is yet unable to break free from. He has yet to ‘return’. Said is so deeply immersed in hatred and his revenge, he isn’t ready to enter the Sheikh’s house, nor to find “the door of Heaven” (Mahfouz 29). Therefore, perhaps this is why the Sheikh states “you seek roof and nothing else” (Mahfouz 29).
4) Mahfouz includes many contrasting features, especially in the characteristics of the people within the novel. In a way, Said and Rauf’s natures stand out in contrast when Said visits his former mentor. Rauf has found pleasure in materialism, thus surrounding himself with riches and ostentatious objects that express his power. On the other hand, Said has more of a idealistic nature, in which he prizes his daughter’s love, friendship and teachings more importantly than matter.
5) I think the title symbolizes Said and the other characters in the book. Said, of course is ‘the thief’, while those who have disappointed him are referred to as ‘the dogs’. ‘The dogs’ are most likely called so as to insult them, yet perhaps this is also so due to irony. For when I think about dogs, they are usually very loyal to their masters.
6) There was tension present during Raul and Said’s meeting, for they were both well aware of the fact that Raul had risen in power, and no longer could be a fellow ally of Said. Raul had once been “a young peasant with shabby clothes” and “a big heart” (Mahfouz 34). Although he is now in a higher social status than Said, a glimpse of the old Raul can be seen when he seems concerned with Said’s future. Yet, this disappears when he makes it known that he can no longer support Said as before.
7) I think Raul will distance himself from Said, especially from his reaction towards Said’s mentioning of returning to burglary. Said will also distance himself from Raul, for he now knows he cannot rely on this man to have his back. Their relationship will most likely not blossom from this strained tie they have now, especially due to the difference in their moral perspectives.
1. In seek of shelter, Said goes to the Sheikh that he and his father used to visit often, more so his father. Said goes to the Sheikh because he is looking for a new beginning to his life, so he goes somewhere that is familiar to him, somewhere that can possibly bring him comfort and provide him support in order for him to begin to stand on his own two feet again. After having been rejected by his own daughter and seeing how unwelcomed he was in his old home, Said felt that the Sheikh’s home was his only refuge. I suppose that after the Sheikh has displayed such hospitality and support for his father when Said was a boy, Said expected the same from the old acquaintance.
ReplyDelete2. In my opinion, I see the Sheikh and Said as very similar characters for they are both trapped in their own worlds blinded and unable to really see things from an alternate perspective. The Sheikh on one hand seems to be in a religious daze, not giving any straight answers to Said, but always answering in some sort of religious, philosophical way. While Said on the other hand is in his own world of suppressed rage and blinded by his drive to get revenge for all those that he felt had wronged him while he was behind bars. Neither characters seem to have a good understanding of reality or rather they refuse to because of their own reasoning.
3. I believe the Sheikh tells Said that he has not returned from jail because, although I believe that the Sheikh is trapped in his own religious prison, he realizes that Said is still trapped in his own mental prison. He still feels as though he is truncated from the rest of the world, a pariah to society, even to his own family. Said’s mind state has not altered since he left the jail, he is still stuck on the past and he has not grown from his experience, instead he has taken all his feelings of betrayal and what not and balled it into one massive mind state which has become his prison. The Sheikh recognizes that this mind set of Said’s has become his real prison from which he is yet to be freed from.
4. In this section, Said is seen to be extremely hateful towards his ex henchman and his ex wife for having betrayed him. His negative thoughts of them are always being brought up. However in one section his actions seem to express a lingering loyalty to his wife, “A girl caught his eye, which made him curse his ex-wife and her lover under his breath, promising them destruction” (Mahfouz 35). Said’s feelings towards this girl are quickly tossed out the window with the thought of his ex-wife, and perhaps I’m misunderstanding the situation but it seems to me as though his lingering emotions of dedication to his ex-wife are in a way preventing him from pursuing this unknown girl.
5. When you think of a thief in action and you put dogs into the scenario you would image the dogs to be guard dogs. The title The Thief and the Dogs I believe refers to Said as the thief, unable to rid himself of the permanent label that has been placed on him. “The Dogs” I believe refers to Said’s ex-acquaintances, family and friends guarding the things that he longs for such as his daughter and all that was his former life, all up against him, a lone man. We also picture guard dogs to be violent and vicious just as Said is describing them from his perspective in the book.
ReplyDelete6. The meeting between Said and Rauf must have been extremely strained because Rauf had become the kind of person that he had encouraged Said to take from which is what sent him to jail. Said had been sheltered from the outside world and had not undergone much change in the meantime unlike Rauf. Rauf, the man that Said had put his way of life in the hands of had gone and became everything that he had told Said was the kind of person who deserved to be stolen from, “A resident now in one of those streets that Said had only visited as a burglar, this man…changed so much that only a shadow of the old self remained” (Mahfouz 41). These men once shared the same perspective but the change that Rauf had gone though, leaving Said in the dust made the situation very strained.
7. I believe that Rauf will become one of the men that Said see as having betrayed him. Said being in his crazed state of getting revenge from all those that he felt wronged him in some way will most likely seek his revenge from Rauf as well. At this point Said seems to not really care how much these people all used to mean to him, he seems to disregard any good fortune that they may have brought him, thinking only the wrong that they have committed in Said’s eyes. Even though Rauf seemed to be his dear friend in the past the hypocrisy and betrayal that Said sees in his new life must make him want to get revenge.
1. Said goes to see the Sheikh to seek shelter and to escape from reality, and also because Said believed that the Sheikh will be able to give him good advice about life. Said, after being disowned by his daughter and experiencing isolation, probably wanted to seek for sympathy also. A Sheikh is a Muslim leader; Said respected him as well as his father did and he respected him as if the Sheikh was also his father. Said, who did not have anywhere else to stay at because of isolation and betrayal by his “old friends”, decided to visit the Sheikh.
ReplyDelete2.I think that the Sheikh and Said has different characteristics; Said shows his emotions through his actions and what he say, on the other hand the Sheikh conceals and controls his emotions. The two of them are also different in how the community view them; the Sheikh is respected by his adherent on the other hand Said has been betrayed by his people and he is not liked by the community.
3 I think that the Sheikh tells Said that he has not returned from jail because he believes that Said’s mind is still captured. Because the Sheikh does not clearly respond to the question of Said, I first thought that he was mentally ill, but he does this to tell Said an important message that he is not any close to the door of heaven (Mahfouz 29). Said, although was freed from the government’s prison, he is not freed from the fate to take revenge and hatred; the jail symbolizes the ultimate fate of Said.
4.Mahfouz has included many contrasts in the section; this most refers to how the characters are being characterized, I think. Mahfouz contrasted between Rauf and Said, and the Sheikh and Said in the chapters and this feature, I think, is very important for the later story. Rauf and Said used to be friends and they used to share similar social rankings before Said was sent to jail. What has changed after the release of Said was that Rauf was able to depart from the life before he was with Said and was successful on the other hand Said, being sent to prison was only a start to his deadly fate. Rauf tells Said that “things are no longer what they used to be”, Said, not only he was betrayed by his people and his wife but was also betrayed by his good friend (Mahfouz 44).
5. The tile “The Thief and the Dogs” applies to the novel because the title explains the summary of the “story” that has happened before the start of the novel. The title explains to the audience that the thief=Said was sent to prison for stealing, then his friends and his wife, who he believed that they were his true friends who will be loyal to him at all times like dogs, betrays him. Said calls his wife’s lover a dog=thief for stealing his woman in page 33. This is one of the evidence to show the reason why the novel was named “the Thief and the Dogs”.
6.Said and Rauf’s meeting did not turn out to be something Said expected it to be, in fact it was so strained. This was mainly because of the long interval and because they have changed too much. Their social raking seems to be different now, and there were some awkwardness between them. Rauf has “changed so much that only a shadow of the old self remained” (Mahfouz 41); the two of them does not equilibrate. Just in the 4 years of interval, Rauf has become rich, and his offering of money is the evidence that the two of them no longer live in the same world.
7. I think that it is not possible for the two of them to fix their relationship anymore, and that Said will take revenge for betraying him, like his other friends did. After Rauf told him that there is no time for joking around since he is busy with his new life, Said felt shocked at the same time swears to take revenge. He quickly and carefully looked around the room (Mahfouz 45)with jealousy and hatred. This, I think, foreshadows the upcoming event of the story that Said will steal something off Rauf.
1) Said seeks to find a shelter in Sheikh’s place because he had no one else to rely on. The people that were important to him have betrayed and he simply needed a place to rest and think. At the same time Said needed comfort and someone to talk about his conflicts. Sheikh was the perfection option for him since he is very understanding.
ReplyDelete2) Said and Sheikh are very different but still have some similarities. The difference is their aspects toward their life. Said tend to carry anger from his past and hesitate to enter the new life. Sheikh looks forward in his life and puts his positive views towards God. However, there is also similarities that both escapes from reality. Sheikh is in his own world with religious aspects and Said is carried away with revenge.
3) Said have came out from jail and assumed to have a freedom but instead he goes through difficult times. Love of his daughter rejected him. Sheikh reminded him that he is still in jail for emotional reasons. Said still seeks for a revenge and he’s in a state of anger with hatred. He is still not ready to restart his life, which means he’s still stuck from his past.
4) Said goes to Sheikh’s place to seek for comfort. “From inside the room he could hear a man concluding his prayer. Said smiled” (Mahfouz 26). Since Said came out from jail, that was the first smile he made. He missed his childhood times but at the same time he is full of hatred and thoughts of revenge.
5) The title “thief” refers to Said himself and “dog” as the people who have betrayed him. The author tends to say dog because in Islam, dog is seen as evil and impure.
6) The meeting was strained because of the their differences over time. Raul have achieved higher rank and became a rich man while Said has left nothing respectable. “Said now sensed that this meeting would be exceedingly difficult to repeat” (Mahfouz 41). After Said came out from jail, he is uncomfortable for how both have completely different aspects compared to before.
7) I think Raul will betray Said and be against him. Because Said is full of anger and his plan towards revenge can’t gain sympathy from anyone. He is forgetting the preciousness of his friends and family. Raul might see Said as completely different person and can’t trust him or be friends anymore.
Farah Okada B1
5. As obvious as it may seem, It is hard to think of anyone else in the story as being the thief, since his past is filled with his mistakes that all point to him being the main thief. As for dogs, I would have to think of all the "friends", that betrayed him. Even though dogs are seen to be loyal pets, it is a very big insult to be called one, so I think that that is what is being referred to when they say dogs.
ReplyDelete6.I believe that when Said and Rauf met, Said thought that everything had stayed the same since he went to prison, but as a matter of fact, everything changed. Rauf had moved on, become succesful, wealthy and did not agree with Said's occupation of theft. They do not share the same views and ideas, so it became an awkward encounter and that is why it was so estranged.
7. I believe that through out the book, it will be obvious that Rauf will be slowly distancing himself from Said. They share different ideals now and he does not want to get in trouble with the law, or in trouble at all for that matter, since he has a comfortable lifestyle and also different moral.
1. Said goes to the Sheikh’s place, who has been Mahran’s spiritual guider. Said wetn to see the Sheikh, because Said’s father also when to the him when he was in trouble. Also during the conversation between the two of them, Said says that there is nowhere on earth for him to go, which eventually brought him to the Sheikh’s place.
ReplyDelete2. The Sheikh does not let his emotions take control of him, but in contrast, Said lets his emotions take controls of him. That is why the Sheikh was very calmed and is a very good listener while Said was raging towards Ilish and the world that have turned it’s back on Said. But both of them shares a similarity as a faithful follower of Islam and God.
3. I believe that the Sheikh meat to say what happened in the past does not matter any more, because it’s already been done and it is over. I guess the Sheikh thinks what happened in the past is equal to nothing happened. That is why the Sheikh said Said has not returned from jail. After people has tuned their back on Said, Said needs to only focus on his future and having a better life.
4. “Wash and read” (Mahfouz 32). As Said yells and releases his anger that he kept for four years, the Sheikh keeps repeating the same thing he said to Said. Wash your body and read the Qu’ran was the Sheikh’s guidance to Said, who was in a major desperation after being rejected by his own daughter. The Sheikh seems to have no interest in the past, but for Said future is not his priority but to get revenge on people who have betrayed him in the past.
5. The title The Thief And The Dogs describes the relationship between Said and his people. The thief refers to Said himself, because he is a burglar who steals from the riches. The dogs are Nabawiyya, Ilish Sidra, and Raul Ilwan who have betrayed him and are responsible for Said being put in to jail. Three of them are like dogs, because in the Islamic world dogs are considered filthy and disgusting, which is how Said thinks about them.
6. Said’s meeting with Rauf was so strained, because Said saw a disgust on Rauf’s face, which Said begins to doubt about Rauf. Said also said some impolite things that put set Rauf that made the atmosphere between them awkward and later in the meeting Said and Rauf had different opinions on things about each other.
7. I think Said now knows that Rauf is not the same Rauf any more and is now one of the greedy riches. Thus Said seems like he will also target Rauf to get revenge. But I think Rauf is the least hated one compared to Said’s wife and Ilish, so I predict that Said won’t be as harsh as he will to the others.But I also have a feeling that at the end Rauf will apologize and will give his money to the poor.
1.Said goes to Sheikh to seek shelter that he had often went with his father. He went to Sheikh because he had no where else to go. Since he was betrayed by his important person, and his daughter rejected him, he needed a place to calm down and rest. “But there is nowhere on earth for me to go.” (Mahfouz 29)
ReplyDelete2. The difference between Sheikh and Said is really obvious. Sheikh is rather calm, and looks toward the future. But, comparing to him, Said is negative, and really emotional. Said thinks about the darkness and revenge. Though, both of them don’t face the real world. “I’m rather in the company of the Sheikh, who is lost in heaven.” (Mahfouz 33)
3. Sheikh told Said that in fact, he has not returned from jail. I am not sure, but I believe this was because Said did not repent for his sin, but in fact he was only thinking about the revenge. Although he was betrayed by his important person, it is true that he had committed a crime.
4. This section is full of contrasts. One of the examples is the relationship between Said and Rauf. Before Said was in the prison, they were a really close friend, and were at the same level. Though it changed their relationship after Said had came out of the prison. When he saw Rauf, he was no longer at the “same level” but changed to a wealthy person. “Listen, Said. Things are no longer what hey used to be.” (Mahfouz 44)
5. There is a connection between the title and the novel. I believe “the Thief” symbolizes Said, and “the dogs” symbolizes the other characters. Usually, the thief and the dogs have really bad relationship. I think that is why Mahfouz chose “The Thief and the Dogs” as the title of this novel.
6. Said's meeting with Rauf was so strained. This was because, before Said went into the prison, he and Rauf were at the same level. Nonetheless, after he came out from the prison, Rauf was wealthier than him. This meant that Rauf was no longer at the same level as him.
7. I think their relationship will end up being messy. Since Rauf got rich while Said was in the prison, Said envies him, and think that he is one of the betrayers. There fore, I think their relationship will not go back like the time when they were a close friend. “Listen, Said. Things are no longer what hey used to be.” (Mahfouz 44) Since Said envies him, he started to think about the revenge.
1. Said goes to Ali al-Junaydi, a Sheikh, to seek shelter. Earlier that day just rejected by his daughter, Said seeks for comfort. Truly confused by the situation, he doesn’t know what to do. He than seeks support from the Sheikh and talk to him his misfortunes and past about his father. I also think that Sheikh’s house is a place for escape from reality.
ReplyDelete2. Sheikh and Said are very different. Where Said is full of emotion, his mind full of hatred and betrayal. In contrast Sheikh is just overly calm and wise. They are similar that they are both Egyptian.
3. I think Sheikh means “You have not come from jail”, that he has not have been free from what he is locked into (Mahfouz 28). Meaning he is still locked in the past, where his mind is same as he was in jail, full of hatred. Sheikh as a wise man, maybe sensed how Said did not learn from his experience and still trapped in the jail of past.
4. Rauf Ilwin changed greatly from the last time Said saw him. The comment that Rauf now writes about is “on women’s fashions” where Rauf is no longer “a young peasant with shabby clothes, a big heart, a direct and glittering style of writing” (Mahfouz 34). Rauf is different from the memory Said has of him before he was in prison.
5. The Thief obviously refers to Said and the Dogs refer to the people who betrayed Said. “It was that dog who betrayed me” here Said refers Ilish as a dog and in other chapter he mentions how others are like dogs (Mahfouz 32). As a dog once used to be loyal to him and always followed him.
6. Rauf seems to welcome Said to his place from obligation and responsibility. Rauf who once used to be poor and supported Said, has now become rich Rauf tells Said to think about his future and not go back to burglary. Time has passed and they no longer share the same ideals. They both have changed so much that they are not bonded as they used to be.
7. Said looking every inch of the house carefully would probably steal from Rauf. Said feels betrayed from Rauf who no longer share the same ideal and friendship. Said who’s just full of hatred will probably take revenge by stealing “only one trade” he possess (Mahfouz 32).
1. Said went to Sheikh’s place for shelter. This was the only place he could go after being betrayed and rejected by his daughter. Sheikh’s house was also the place where he could calm down and rest since it was a familiar place, which reminded him of his father. It was actually a perfect place to go where he can rest and also get support.
ReplyDelete2. Said and Sheikh had some differences yet also had some similarities. Said, unlike Sheikh is always looking at the past seeking revenge and he is full of emotions. On the other hand, Sheikh looks more to the future and controls his own feelings. Though these two were very different, they both shared the fact that they were both blinded by their beliefs and the way of thinking.
3. Sheikh tells Said that he has not returned from jail because although he has returned from jail physically, he is still mentally captured. The hatred and depression from betrayal had him tied up to the past. He wasn’t freed completely, still seeking revenge in his mind.
4. We can see a lot of contrasts on how characters are characterized. As I talked about it in 2, Said and Sheikh are very different. Also Rauf and Said is shown very differently too. Although they were friends before Said went in to jail, Rauf was successful in his work while Said was away, which changed their status drastically.
5. The title The Thief and the Dogs explains the main parts of the story. The Thief refers to Said, who is actually a thief in the story. He was sent to jail by stealing. The Dogs refer to the people around him who betrayed Said such as his daughter and Rauf.
6. The meeting of Rauf and Said was strained because of the changes they had while they were apart. Although Rauf and Said was in the same rank and were great friends before Said went to jail, while Said was in the jail, Rauf became very wealthy and his environment surrounding him changed a lot. Said who was in the jail for a long time changed too. As he say “I haven’t quite got over the atmosphere of prison” he was now used to the life in the jail so he felt awkward and uncomfortable being around Rauf (Mahfouz 43).
7. I think Said will think Rauf as one of the people who betrayed him and will seek revenge. Although they were good friends before prison, now that Rauf changed a lot and their relationship isn’t the same, Said will feel he was betrayed and will get revenge from him in some way.
1. Said goes to Sheikh to stay for a while since he has no where to go. Ilish had taken everything from Said, such as money, wife and other important things. The sheikh was very nice that he allowed Said to stay for a while. I think that the Sheikh was the only place where he can go and stay.
ReplyDelete2. Sheikh and Said are different. Said is rushed that he wants everything back to normal. On the other hand, Sheikh is relaxed and kept giving suggestions to Said. The Sheikh only says to read Koran and wash Said’s brain. The way they solve issues is different. However, both of them are Muslims and respect God or Allah.
3. Sheikh tells Said that he has not returned from jail. Said just got out of jail yesterday, but his mind is still about jail. All he does is to show anger and despair, and not thinking about wise solutions. He only thinks about the past, and desire everything back to normal instead of starting life all over.
4. When Said entered Sheikh’s place, he kept complaining. “Wash and read” was the only suggestion Sheikh had for that moment (Mahfouz 32). The Sheikh thinks that reading Koran would help Said calm down, but Said kept on ignoring his suggestion and complaining. Later, he reads the Koran. And then, Koran made him relaxed and calmed down for a while.
5. This novel, The Thief And The Dogs, probably describes Said and people who betrayed him. The thief is Said since he stole people’s stuff and got arrested, and the dogs are people who betrayed Said: Ilish, Ilwan his ex-wife and others. According to Islamic beliefs, dogs are disgusting. That’s why Ilish, Ilwan, and others are disgusting to Said.
6. Before Said got arrested, Said was as wealthy as Ilwan. However, when Said was released from the jail, Ilwan became extremely wealthy, and Said has lost everything. Ilwan and Said were no longer as close as they used to be.
7. I predict that the relationship will get better for a while, and in the end, Said will betray Ilwan, revenge. Ilwan probably feels a little bit sorry for Said for betraying him, so Ilwan might hire or look for a job for Said. When Said has enough money to do something, Said will probably look for revenge.
1. After his heartrending meeting with his daughter, Said realizes that he has, as his enemies had emphasized, nowhere to stay. Tired of hate and in dire need of acceptance and welcoming kindness, he longs for a place to stay that is both full of nostalgic warmth and is protected by loving eyes. Since his father had long passed away, he decides to drag himself to his father’s spiritual leader’s dwelling. However, to his disappointment, he finds a wise but spiteful Sheikh, who grudgingly grants him permission to stay until he earns enough for his own home.
ReplyDelete2. Said points out that the Sheikh is impossibly wise, but his teachings cannot be understood by anyone that hasn’t led a holy life. He believes that the Sheikh is apathetic to sinful souls, and disowns them almost immediately, having no experience of sin himself. However, Said is not so different from the Sheikh, in that he is blinded by his special knowledge of the consequences and sacrifices of his past actions. Said has such deep understanding and familiarity of rejection, revenge, freedom, betrayal, and hatred, but not enough of love and trust, that he cannot forgive people who have no awareness of such matters. Also, those who are ignorant fail to acknowledge the Sheikh and Said’s intelligence.
3. Said has not emotionally been set free, and the Sheikh informs him so. He cannot forgive his betrayers and is enslaved to hatred and chained to revenge. Said cannot enjoy the simple things of life, because he is so hard set on the past. True freedom will not be his until he disengages from the past and accepts the present.
4. Rauf Ilwan and Said are polar opposites. There is a contrast between the dreams that they are willing to give up anything for. Rauf is willing to give up trust and old friendship in the name of fame, and Said will endure a grueling experience in prison for the freedom of his people. Once rich, Rauf hordes all of his fortunes, but Said only thinks of his daughter.
5. Literally, the thief refers to Said, and the “dogs” are his backstabbing allies. Speculatively, the dogs may also refer to Said’s misfortunes, as in the slumps of his life. The thief may also be refer those who use others for their own gains (Rauf), and the dogs are the ones who work like dogs for the thieves. This is an appropriate title, because the novel is about Said, a thief, who gets used like a dog and then abandoned by the metaphoric thieves who have robbed him of his wife, child, future, and emotional freedom.
6. Said has been rejected so far by all of his last-resort allies. As Rauf is his last hope, Said is desperate for him to be the same as the good old days of their youth. This desperation leads to exasperation as he realizes that not even Rauf is the same. Frantic to find some part of his old friend unchanged, the atmosphere becomes tense with fear and anguish, as he realizes that Rauf is now one of the rich that Said had once stole from. They both come to understand that they are enemies.
7. Said has been betrayed by his best friend, Rauf, and this will lead to revenge in some shape or form. Said even mentions that no “refuge would be left if this only surviving support also collapsed,” (Mahfouz 39). In such situation, the most common choice of action is revenge on all disloyalties. People are bent on justice, and if someone does something bad, they will not be left unpunished.
1. Said’s seek is to find the place to live and he hard because he has no one can rely, because the people who is important to he everyone betray to he already. But he just need the place to take a rest, and need the comfort, and the person who is best choose is Sheikh, because he is really nice to Said and really understand him.
ReplyDelete2.Said and Sheikh bothe had different and similar part but most they had different part, they had really different kind of life, and the similar is they both are escapes from the real life Said did carry the revenge and go away, and Sheikh use religion to be in his own life own world.
3.he already out of the jail and he show his daughter is already not remember him and Sheikh said he understand how his feeling in the jail, he keep thinking how to revenge to those people, but he is not ready how to star his new life he keep thinking about his old life.
1. Said went to Sheikh’s house. There are several possible reasons for Said for choosing Sheikh’s house. “Muqattam hill, was the Darrasa quarter, the scene of so many pleasant memories” (Mahfouz 25), this might the first reason, maybe he felt better to go somewhere, where he could calm himself down. The another reason may be, because he was rejected by his daughter, betrayed by his close friends and because he just got out of the jail, he wanted to be somewhere, where he could remember and feel that his father is always there with him. “’I could see my father listening and nodding his head with pleasure’” (Mahfouz 32).
ReplyDelete2. Said and Sheikh differs a lot but still have some of the points that are similar. Said is more like a young man who keeps the past in his hands and still seeks for them, and always sticks with one thing, and is always negative. Sheikh looks more like a gentle man who never goes back to his past and think, but always thinks positive, look forward for anything and just think that the God is only one who would be there for him and brings good to him. “’If you love God, then follow me and God willlove you’” (Mahfouz 32). The similarities that they have is, that they both think serious about the reality, Said, within himself that had strong feeling of revenging, and Sheikh, in himself all alone with religious beliefs.
3. I think in Sheikh’s word, does not actually talk about the jail, but Said. He says the word with “sorrowful” (Mahfouz 28) voice, which means that he is trying to let Said know that he is not changed, and still, he is not out of difficult times. He is rejected by his daughter, there are the dogs that he is seeking to revenge on, have not got his own freedom life and love. “’You seek a roof, not an answer” (Mahfouz 29). So, I think Sheikh meant it as saying that he is not free yet, to step out for a new life.
4. There are a lot of contacts hidden with this novel. The most obvious part that I think is a big contact is where Said smiles. Even though he was just out of the jail that they, and were so depressed for this betrayed friends, rejected daughter, when he got to where Sheikh was, he smiled. Which I think he was happy and ready to plan for revenging all the people that he thinks that are dog to him.
5. The title and the character in the novel is really related to the title. I think the title, “The Thief and The Dogs”, symbolises Said as the thief and the people that Said is trying to revenge are the dogs. Obviously, “The Thief”, is Said, since he is the man that was in jail for being a burglar. Said’s enemies are mentioned as the dogs, may be because of the religious things, Muslims usually call someone a “dog” when that person is filthy and evil. “that dog Ilish should grab and wallow in the fruits of my lifetime’s labor?” (Mahfouz 37)
6. Rauf and Said used t be a really close friend and also they were on the same social rank. But since Said got into the jail, Rauf got the life, money and a big and enormous villa, in a short time. Now, Said and Rauf’s relationship is not longer the same. “’Things are no longer what they used to be’” (Mahfouz 44). Rauf says that he used to be his friend, even though when Said was a thief. But he won’t be anything else for Said if he chooses to go back for burglar again.
7. I think that, Rauf might betray Said just like the others did. Because Rauf got angry when Said mentioned something about continuing the thief. Another reason why I think Rauf might betray Said is because, me personally would not be anything with a person who had being an thief once, and gone to jail. Also since Rauf is totally different with his lifestyle and social class, he would not want to be with someone like Said.
1.Said goes to Ali al-Junaydi also known as Sheikh for a place to stay. Said visited his place frequently as a child with his father, who looked up to Sheikh. Just being released from jail and being rejected by his own daughter Sara, Said is seeking comfort and a place to belong to, and 2.Sheikh’s place is the only where he can possibly go on earth.
ReplyDeleteSaid and the Sheikh are two controversial characters. They are similar in that they are both detached from society in their own worlds. Said in my opinion is a pessimist, always thinking about how things should of been and dreaming of revenge. Sheikh is a calm, disciplined man who tells Said, to “just wash and read” (Mahfouz 32).
3. Sheikh tells Said that he has not yet returned from jail, because he sees no emotional transformation within Said. The mentality of Said is unchanging and he is still caught in the fire of vengeance towards his ex-wife and his former understudy.
4. A big contrast in this chapter is that Said seeks comfort in Sheikh’s house and presence, but Sheikh on the other hand seeks refugee in God and the Koran. Sheikh said towards Said, “Take a copy of the Koran and read” (Mahfouz 31).
5. The thief, refers to Said as he stole from others, while the dogs represent those who have betrayed Said. Dogs are less intelligent than a human or a thief and so the title summaries how the thief can manipulate the dogs, and that is what Said does in the future.
6.The major change between them is that Said was in higher rank than Rauf as Rauf was a poor writer who lived behind Said’s shadows. Now, Said is below Rauf in rank as Rauf had become wealthy and powerful, gaining everything that Said had lost. These changes in position between Said and Rauf, made the meeting strained and uncomfortable.
ReplyDelete7. The relationship between Rauf and Said is destined to be a negative one, as Said and Rauf both see each other as threats and rivals. Said will seek revenge against Rauf and Rauf would most definitely try to avoid Said.
1.After the rejection of his daughter, said has no else place to go but his friend sheikh to seek for shelter. Said was betrayed Llish and has no money nor family left.
ReplyDelete2. Sheikh and Said has very different personality but has a lot in common as well. Said express his emotion by his action while Sheikh just sort of controls it.
3. Sheikh tells Said that he has not returned from jail, i think is because Said is still mentally trapped, jail supposed relive you but all Said still has anger and hatred on him.
4.One of the contrasts i found interesting is that while Said is in jail, Rauf became successful and he look down to Said , which was not a friendly thing to do.
5."The Thief and the Dogs", Thief symbolized Said and Dogs symbolized His ex-wife, friend, daughter who had betrayed him.
6.As i mentions on answer 4, before Said was send to jail Said and Rauf are the same level, but after Said was send to prison Rauf started to become successful. And Rauf look down on Said when they met. And it had been too long since they last met and Said realized their wealthiness and ranks are different.
7.The hatred that Said has in him will eventually all come up at one point and he will take the revenge.And the hatred might increase because Rauf become successful and Said is just a loser.
1. Said goes to seek shelter at Sheikh because he has no other place to go since he just got out of jail. Also Said goes over there because he also wants gods pleasure so he can get back what he had before he went to prison. Another thing that I think that he goes to Sheikh home is because he wants someone to talk to that will listen to him and give him advice.
ReplyDelete2. What is similar between Said and Sheikh is that they both believe in god also that the way to get gods pleasure is if you believe him then he’ll believe in you. What is different between the both of them is that Sheikh uses his words and beliefs though Said uses his anger and actions.
3. I think that Sheikh tells Said that he has not returned from jail is because the things (emotion) he should have left is still there. Some of the anger he has right now should have been some to let go of when he was in prison.
4. A contrast I found was between Sheikh and Said when Sheikh believed that if Said “ Washed and Read” ( Mahfouz 32) himself it and he would get a little calmer and better. Although what Said was only thinking about was him getting out of prison that day and also mostly thinking about his daughter rejecting him.
5. I think that the title THE THIEF AND THE DOGS applies to this novel by Said being the thief and everyone else who betrayed him as the dog like his ex-wife, his daughter and the detective etc.
6. Said meeting with Rauf was so strained because before Said went to prison Rauf was just like him but then after Said comes out of prison Rauf is much in a higher social level than he is. So when he finds out about that Rauf and Said become to be rivals to each other.
7. I think that Rauf’s and Said relationship will probably get more and more worse because of the betrayal that Rauf did to Said. Also that Said will seek for more and bigger revenge for him because of all the hurt Rauf gave him since Said trusted him so much before and he just dropped him like a piece of trash.
1. Said goes to Sheikh’s house to seek shelter he can stay to start off his new life. Although he is abandoned by everyone, including his own daughter, he can’t help but to talk to Sheikh, who is his father’s old friend. His face, which is “radiant with overflowing vitality, framed by a white beard like a halo,” (Mahfouz 26) brings Said to nostalgia for his father to feel as if he is his own dad.
ReplyDelete2. It seems that Sheikh and Said are totally different characters, yet both of them are obsessed with their own world to see things coherently. However, Sheikh is a spiritual individual who has a generous personality that has emptied hatred of anything. He hears all Said’s complains that he has no where else to go, and accepts him to stay in his house thereafter.
3. I believe Sheikh tells Said that he has not returned from jail, because the purpose of being arrested for a crime and go into a jail is to learn from the mistakes. Said makes it clear that he is still full of indignation to revenge on other people to Sheikh, as he says “Your concern is present hour.” (Mahfouz 28) Thus, Sheikh tells Said that in fact he has not returned from jail, in other words, Said may commit another crime to go back to jail.
4. A contrast I found in this section is the difference between Said and Rauf. They used to be close friends and they were friendly before Said goes to jail. But things has changed for four years while Said disposed his time in jail, and when Said visits Rauf’s house, Rauf has achieved a large amount of fortue. It is piteous that one friend has kicked out by everyone and the only thing he has is a pile of book and a shelter, whereas the other friend has a lot of money and a proper job.
5. The title, The Thief and the Dogs, applies to the novel as Said is the thief, and Said looks down at everything as a “dog,” “vermin,” or “mean,” which is quite ironical in my opinion, because to me, Said has nothing better than those people who he abhors.
6. Said’s meeting with Rauf was so strained because Rauf has a proper job and very wealthy, but Said has no job with no money. Rauf is astounded when Said tells him that he is going to steal things from other people on the next day he got out of the prison. “‘You’re going back to burglary?’ Rauf seemed almost alarmed. … “Why are you so angry?’ Said gave him a surprised look, ‘I meant: as you know from my past. Isn’t that so?’” (Mahfouz 44)
7. I think their relationship will stay as awkward as this unless one of them changes. Apparently, neither of them consider the other as his friends, so how would the relationship be changed if they still go on their way of lives? As far as Said be concerned, I predict that Said will not end up the relationship by himself, and continue this awkwardness forever, since he conceals his real feeling all the time like a chicken.
1) Said went to his father home for shelter. Said father is Sheikh. He was recently released from prison and wanted a place to rest, but his first option was deny, as his daughter didn't want to live with him.
ReplyDelete2) They both are similar yet different. They are similar by they don't really face the real world. They are different by Said is living a negative life by in his mind is revenge. For Sheikh, he lived a positive life. He point of life is dedication towards god, but not to strong, but he still maintains calm and peace.
3) I think from the quote “ He has not come out of jail”, for me it tells that although he is out, but his action and feeling towards a person is still similar in jail. In jail said suppose to get better and less dangerous, I think he is still in the jail behavior mode.
4) On page 29 the whole page contrasted on Sheikh respect towards god and Said respect towards god. As they both didn't get any return for all their prayer, Sheikh had stayed calm and thinks his door to heaven is close to him. But for Said, his actions were not good, but he asks for return although he had not done anything to help him, in religious side.
5) I think the title represent the 2 main characters by their behavior. The thief, I think it refers to Said, by all of his action are not good and more to a negative side, it is like a thief. The Dogs maybe is for sheikh because he obey god, it is like a dog.
6) Rauf meeting with Said, might have been strained, because their class ranking was different before Said went to Jail. Before said went to jail, Rauf was a burglar, but he got better and now he is wealthy.
7) I think their relationship will become better, because they seem to have a similar past history. They both can learn from ones mistake and learn from each other to prevent any mistakes or problems. I think also Rauf could help said bring back Said’s life.
1. Said went to Alial-Junaydi(Sheikh)'s house for the shelter. It was the only place that he could think of to go. He was rejected by his daughter, so he needed comfort."the scene of so many pleasant memories"(Mahfouz 25). Sheikh seems like he can't really listen. And whatever Said tell him about his past for ten years and his father, Sheikh gives random answers. But I think Sheikh being kind of neutral (doesn't really give clear answer) makes Said more comfortable about this house.
ReplyDelete2. I think Sheikh and Said has very differnet characteristic. Said is full of emotion, emotions of rage and revenge. And he explains everything about how he is in big misfortune. But Sheikh in other hand, says "Wash and read"(Mahfouz 32). Instead of answering back to him. I think this saying implies calm down and do not act emotionally.
3. At first time when I read that quote, I simply thought Said didn't come to Sheikh's house directly but instead he went to Ilish's house first. But as I look at other people's comment, I agree the part that his body is free from jail, but his mind is not.
4. There are about two things I can find that is contrasted. One is the huge characteistic differences between of Sheikh and Said, the other one is a huge gap between Rauf and Said. They used to be friend, but while Said is in prison, Rauf became extremly successful. While Said doesn't even have his own place and place to work, Rauf has "Zahra offices in Maarif Square, and enourmous building, where his first thought was that it would be very difficult to break into"(Mahfouz 35) working place.
5. Thief is Said, as we know, whether he is innocent or not. And the dog implies Ilish. "No, it wasn't. I was sure of my safety, as usual. It was that dog who betrayed me, in collusion with her"(Mahfouz 32).
6. When Said went to meet Rauf, there were some tensions going around between them. And it was because of the changes while Said was in jail. And even Said himself knew it would be awkward for them to meet. "It isn't a suitable place for reunion of old friends. Rauf won't be able to behave naturally here"(Mahfouz 36).
7. The relationship between Rauf and Said is not same as before. I think Said will revenge to Rauf who doesn't share same ideals and deep friendship as before, and therefore Said thinks he is one of the people who betrayed him.
1. Said goes to seek shelter at a mosque where his master was Sheikh. The reason he chose there, was because there was nowhere else. That had been where he grew up, and his father had been a tremendously strong believer. Also, the mosque always had its doors open to anyone in need, so it was the ideal place to take shelter for Said.
ReplyDelete2. Basically, Said is not a very strong believer in the Muslim religion. Also, he tends to talk in very direct and simple language. The Sheikh however, is a very extreme believer, and considered master of that mosque. He also always talks in a very religious way, that is in my opinion and in Said's also, quite hard to understand. I thought that these two men were nothing alike.
3. I believe that the Sheikh meant that Said had not atoned to what he had done. All Said since he got out of jail, was think or anger and revenge at his collegues that turned him in and betrayed him. Said had no thought about how it might have not been a good idea to commit theivery in the first place. Basically, I think that the Sheikh meant that Said was still in a state of anger, torment, and depression, and as long as he was in this certain state, he would never be "out of prison".
4. On page 38, there is a huge contrast created by difference in wealth portrayed. You can easily see the difference in living styles that Said and his old friend Ilwan had. As Said was taken through Ilwan's house, you could see that he was amazed by all of the riches. He was astonished by the carpets, the furniture, by random decorations. Also when he saw the chandelier "Said's eyes were dazzled by its size, its multitude of upturned bulbs, its stars and crescents" (Mahfouz). Ilwan meanwhile, seemed to show a degree of disgust when it came to Said's poor and dangerous life.
5. The title of the book, basically names the main plot. Said, being the Thief, was betrayed by his comrades and turned in to the police. These traitors, are the Dogs. This is the way the title connects with the main plot of the story.
6. As I mentioned in question 4, Rauf and Said were old friends. Unluckily though, they took two completely seperate paths in life. Rauf became wealthy and important in business, while Said took up a life of thievery. This is probably why there was so much tension between them. Also, a thief in a rich man's house was not a good idea, and it was more then likely that Ilwan suspected Said of possibly trying to rob him.
7. As already stated, Ilwan was disgusted by Said's life, as mentioned on page 42. Then on page 44, Rauf clearly states that if Said goes back to burglary, then they would no longer be friends (Mahfouz). Since it is apparant that Said will go back to thievery, I predict that their relationship will end perminantly, and perhaps they would even become enemies in a way.
1. He went to the Sheikh's place for his shelter. At the first place, he wanted to see Alial-Junaydi, the Sheikh so he went to his place. Said told him that he had no one besides the Sheikh to go to, and then Said said that his father were helped by the Shikh so Said thought he mite help him from his miserable life of rejection by his daughter and betray from a lot of people.
ReplyDelete2. I couldn't find much similarities, but found a big difference between Sheikh and Said. Similarity is that they both has strong beliefs to God, and they live their life with the God's message. What differs them is that Said lives his life by looking back and plan to revenge the people who betrayed them, but Sheikh lives his life by sort of looking at the future, or live with faith and hope. I think when he said to read the Kuran to Said, Sheikh wanted him to realize what he had to do by the Islamic way.
3. The reason why SHeikh told Said that he has not returned from jail is because he has still a evil mind in his head which had to leave it in the jail. He still wants to revenge, and very negative mind so Sheikh thought he should still be in the jail and purified then return.
4. There were some contrasts in the book so far, but I am going to answer the question with the contrast between Rauf and Said. They had huge difference with the amount of money and economically. Rauf became successful and very rich "A servant switched on the chandelier"(Mahfouz 38). On the other hand, Said have barley money and stays at other person's house. "I need money" (Mahfouz 34).
5. I think The title "The thief and the dogs" applies to the novel by the relationships with the thief who is Said and the Dogs, who betrayed them. I think it is going to be a story of how the thief solve the problem with the "dogs".
6. Because Rauf changed so much when Said was in the prison. Rauf got very rich and he has secretary, and servants. He also has chandeliers and statue, which made Said amazed, but made him strained at the same time. Their relationships got a bit awkward because of the financial problem.
7. Maybe it is going to be better. I think by meeting with his old friend and "wakes up" from the rich world, Rauf is going to help Said and support the poor guy with no money. And maybe he is going to help building up Said's refreshed life.
1) He is in a state of being lost in a path of getting betrayed and rejected by his people. Although this also leads to having no one to go to, but the house was the only place he could think about. Therefore leading him into the house, but after the rejection of his daughter it leads him in to melancholy. “But there is nowhere on earth for me to go.” (Mahfouz 29) Proves he lost everything, even a place to stay.
ReplyDelete2) The obvious difference is that said is a person who has just gotten out of jail. Which he is full of anger, hate, and revenge. Said stares the past, and feels anger towards the ones who have put him in there the first place. Sheikh is a fellow that is complete opposite of Said. He is a person who would look forward to the future, although they do both have a cloudy mist of unpredictable future they both look into it in a different perspective.
3) Being in jail, means to understand the sin you have done. But instead it only gave Said a reason to become angrier towards everything. After being rejected by his daughter, his emotions worsens
4) The story has a lot of contrasts, as stated in the question. One of the biggest contrasts that will probably be continued in the story is the Rauf and Said contrast. “things are no longer what they used to be”, Said, not only he was betrayed by his people and his wife but was also betrayed by his good friend (Mahfouz 44). This is really ironic, and sad the same time, It’s like playing a video game, and you have to quit playing for a few months. You can your friend was on the same level until you quit, But when you come back from your break. You see your friend with a level 96 when your character is still a level 65. It only gives the idea, of how much life changed between the time you lost in jail.
5) In my opinion the “Dogs” Seem to show the resemblance of the humans around Said. The ones who used to listen to him and the ones who “look up to him”. In cases when a owner has a dog, There are times were it over powers the owner, and thinks he’s/she’s the Alfa male of the pack. This is where the title gives the twist to the story, it gives an idea of the normal loyal dogs looking up to thief, but the dogs were just like German shepherds from the airport security that capture you when you look too dangerous.
6) This is just like one of those times, when you meet an old best friend and you know your best friend has done something wrong. You just can’t forgive that person, but at the same time you don’t know what to say to them. Rauf and Said is in this position, where it’s just too awkward for them to talk to each other. Especially when time goes by your ways of thinking changes, and you no longer see the same view together.
ReplyDelete7) Said is after a huge revenge cycle, and his bonds with these people will soon be broken by a larger, and harsher gap. Said no longer knows what Rauf is, and he knows he changed, he changed too much. Everything around him changed, and he wants the revenge.
1)Said went to seek his father's shelter. After he got out of the jail and betrayed, he got very confused about the situation and went to seek father's shelter, because since he got out of the jail that day, he didn't have anywhere to go. ““Forgive my coming to your house like this. But there's nowhere else in the world for me to go”” (Mahfouz 27).
ReplyDelete2)Said and Sheikh are very different. Said is filled with his emotions that he was betrayed and he want to take a revenge, and he want daughter back but not his wife. Also he is very confused that he m self is not changed from the past but other people got mature and have better lives. Sheikh is very spiritual and knowing what he should do, he is looking at the bright future. 'Convinced that the Sheikh knew who he was, Said felt uneasy but did not know why' (Mahfouz 29).
3)I think Sheikh thought Said is not returned from the jail because he is bundle of anger and revenge. Jail is the place people get punish to make amends so people can move on from the past, but Said is trapped in the past and seeking revenge.
5)The tittle The Thief And The Dog is explaining at the relationship of the characters. Said is the thief and the others are dog the dog betrayed like a dog but yet their royal to Said. Also I heard from Farah that when dog barks at people, their angels are gone so maybe by betraying Said, he lost his angel and sent off to jail.
6)By meeting with Rauf, it showed how much being in the jail changed around Said. Rauf used to be in same rank and good friends, but after four years, Rauf achieved higher rank and Said is left with nothing. Rauf no longer supports Said.
7)I think the Rauf and Said won't come back as a friend, but i personally want Said to take revenge on him while Said keep in touch with Rauf and builds up towards the climax under the water.
Said had located a shelter for him to stay in, which is the Sheikh’s place. Said doesn’t have any other place that he could go since he got rejected by his own daughter. Said needed a place where he is able to rest. The Sheikh knows his father, also because the Sheikh is an understanding person.
ReplyDeleteSaid and Sheikh has many difference but also have some similarities. One of the major one was their psychological aspect, Said’s thought was all about his revenge instead of moving on with his life. Sheikh was really into following God. Both characters was not living in their life, they’re trap in their mind away from reality, which is the similarity they share.
The Sheikh told Said that his not out of jail yet, he is still jailed on the inside. He was supposed to be enjoying the freedom and his life ahead, but instead he was focusing on his revenge. His mind is surrounded by hatred and pain, makes him really hard to move on with his life.
When people are out of the jail, they were expected to be heading forward to their freedom of their new life. Instead, Said was more focus on his revenge for all the suffer he been through. “‘And he took everything I owned, the money and the jewelry” (Mahfouz 32).
The word “thief” is refer to said’s situation in this section, everything he had was stolen from him. The word “dog” symbolism of what was the main reason of why he lost everything he use to have.
The meeting was really strained because things have changed through out the years they were apart. Rauf was able to achieved in the high rank and become a really wealthy man. And Said had nothing left, it was hard for Said to et use to it.
I think Rauf wouldn’t want to be involved with Said’s anything. Now Said is just full of hatred and revenge, Rauf would most likely to betrayed him towards the end.
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