This chapter provides a deep insight to Said’s raw emotions and opinions through his lengthy interior monologue from which he does not take one moment of respite. His dark thoughts seem to be triggered by the graves outside of Nur’s apartment that “speak of betrayal; and thus make [him] remember Nabawiyya, Ilish, and Rauf”(p 219). Once Nur leaves her apartment and Said is left “alone in the full sense of the word”(p 219) his thoughts go immediately to his daughter, Sana. He describes the time when he saw her as “very disquieting, like seeing the graves”(p 219) but yet how he “longs to see her, if only as [his] last wish on earth before [his] extinction.”(p 226).
His thoughts are inevitably drawn to the early stages of his relationship with Nabawiyya: their first exchange and their engagement and marriage. We are impacted with the contrast between what we know to be Said’s feelings towards Nabawiyya now, and the compassionate ones that we find out that he once felt. He remembers how “she was always so nicely dressed, much neater than the other servant girls”(p 220) and intricate details such as how “she appeared with her hair neatly combed and plaited in along pigtail” and how “her peasant’s gown flowed around a sprightly and nimble body”(p 220). Said seemed to also be entranced by “her round, full face, her brown eyes, her small chubby nose, and her lips moist with the juices of life”(p 220). He recalls how he would “glow with anticipation” whenever she moved close to him, and how she was “like some lovely melody, welcomed whenever she went”(p 220). These thoughts that Said has of Nabawiyya probably serve the purpose of creating a stronger contrast between the love he felt for her when he first met her, and hatred he feels for her now.
Said also reflects on how their “wedding was so lovely that everyone talked about it ever after”(p 222) and how “Ilish Sidra seemed absolutely overjoyed at it all, as if it was his own wedding, playing the part of the faithful friend while he was really no friend at all”(p 223). It is clear that Said regrets trusting his “friend” when he describes his being “taken by him” as “odd”(p 223). It is hard to feel anything but sympathy for Said as at some point we have all felt betrayed by a friend to some degree.
Nur’s character remains static as she continues to have strong yet submissive feelings towards Said. Nur’s job takes negative, exhausting tolls on her that cause her to wake “unrested and run-down”(p 218 ) but upon seeing Said she smiles and tell him about her dreams. Her dream happened to consist of Said being “far away” and Nur “going out of her mind waiting for him”(p 218 ). Nur’s dream is parallel to the negative representations of women noted in the initial chapter. These representations are again apparent towards the end of the chapter when Nur returns to her apartment “smiling, carrying a big parcel.” She says that she “brought home a restaurant, a delicatessen, and a patisserie all in one!”(p 225) Said notices that “she’d spent a lot of money”(p 226). Nur’s does not “want to lose [Said] again.”(p 228 ) She also believes that “to live at all we’ve got to be afraid of nothing.” When Said challenges her by asking, “not even death?” she assuredly responds that even she forgets when “time brings her together with someone she loves”(p 228). This insight has Said “astonished at the strength and tenacity of her affection, and feels compassion, respect, and gratitude towards her”(p 228).
At this point we are still not sure what Said’s true feelings are for Nur. Does he simply appreciate her, or does he truly have feelings for her and will these feelings develop? He does however, tell her that “there aren’t many women like [her].”(p 226). Nur “smiles at the compliment”(p 226-7) but can we really consider this a compliment? There aren’t many women that would put up with Said? Or there aren’t many women who would be so kind and caring?
In terms of insight to Nur’s occupation, we can infer that it probably does have something to do with exploiting her sexuality. “She was thirty years old, but she lied outright, hoping to appear younger”(p 219). Also, when Nur arrives back at her apartment, Said tastes alcohol on her lips as he kisses her. He asks her if she’s been drinking and she responds, “I have to; it’s part of my job”(p 225)
In terms of basic personality traits, we can infer that Said is stubborn by his telling himself that “he’ll have to put up with the dark, the silence, and the loneliness – for as long as the world refuses to change its naughty ways”(p 224). This is likely another one of Said’s delusions of grandeur.
The Thief and The Dogs - Chapter 10 