The word 'Sheikh' has various meanings in different language. In modern Arabic,In Islamic Sufism, a 'Shaikh' is considered to be someone who sets up a particular Sufi school guiding one to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) (1). By using the Sheikh as one of the more enigmatic but flat characters, Mahfouz is able to bring out the true colours of Said Mahran; providing a stark contrast in between Said's rage and the Sheikh's peacefulness. Mahfouz aims to depict the Sheikh and Said as two different sides of the same coin.
Firstly, one most understand the nuanced development of the Sheikh's character. He was preaching when Said's dad was alive, and so he is now, when Said is alive. He has seen what Said went through, however bringing to the table a completely different point of view to the table. Even though the reader and the Sheikh can almost be seen feeling Said's rage, the Sheikh calmly advises him on what do next. Even if the most subtle of ways, Mahfouz engages the reader within Said's conflict with himself, while bringing the context of the novel into the picture. The goodwill of the Sheikh is enforced upon the readers from a very early stage, which is reflective from the first lines he says to Said: ..."Peace and God's compassion be upon you,"... . Mahfouz doesn't forget to keep this message prevalent throughout the text; even when Said is on the run and no one gives him comfort, he still manages to find solace in the Sheikh's house. They were so far apart, yet so close at the same time. The times Said grins to himself while the Sheikh speaks his enigmatic dialogues is dedicative of the Sheikh's similarity to Said. The author almost uses him as Said's inverse reflection.
The Sheikh is useful as a flat character because Said's flaws as a tragic hero truly emerge from their conversation. After Said's completely honest narration of the events that had taken place right after he had got out of jail, the Sheikh talks to him in a very vague manner:
A last important factor to be considered in the complexity of the Sheikh's usage. The Sheikh is not specifically used and developed as a character solely because Said's dad knew him; however, the title 'Sheikh' was used as such dubious dialogue could be justified. In Mahfouz's words, "This was the language of old times again, where word had a double meaning". Only an old religious person could justify this choice.
In the end, Mahfouz uses the Sheikh as a flat character who reflects Said's flaw. He acts as an inverse reflection, which allows the readers to evaluate their own actions from a different perspective, almost like considering what it would be like if the reader themselves had an inverse reflection, enforcing in what is my view one of the ancillary interpretations of this book.
1: Muslim communities of grace: the Sufi brotherhoods in Islamic religious life pg 94, Abun-Nasr, Jamil M. Columbia University Press. (2007)
Firstly, one most understand the nuanced development of the Sheikh's character. He was preaching when Said's dad was alive, and so he is now, when Said is alive. He has seen what Said went through, however bringing to the table a completely different point of view to the table. Even though the reader and the Sheikh can almost be seen feeling Said's rage, the Sheikh calmly advises him on what do next. Even if the most subtle of ways, Mahfouz engages the reader within Said's conflict with himself, while bringing the context of the novel into the picture. The goodwill of the Sheikh is enforced upon the readers from a very early stage, which is reflective from the first lines he says to Said: ..."Peace and God's compassion be upon you,"... . Mahfouz doesn't forget to keep this message prevalent throughout the text; even when Said is on the run and no one gives him comfort, he still manages to find solace in the Sheikh's house. They were so far apart, yet so close at the same time. The times Said grins to himself while the Sheikh speaks his enigmatic dialogues is dedicative of the Sheikh's similarity to Said. The author almost uses him as Said's inverse reflection.
The Sheikh is useful as a flat character because Said's flaws as a tragic hero truly emerge from their conversation. After Said's completely honest narration of the events that had taken place right after he had got out of jail, the Sheikh talks to him in a very vague manner:
"And the door of Heaven? How have you found that?" "But there is nowhere on earth for me to go. And my own daughter has rejected me." "How like you she is!" "In what way, Master?" "You seek a roof, not an answer."This is when Mahfouz truly starts to draw the curtains open on Said's tragic flaws. He isn't looking for an answer, rather he is looking for materialistic things that will instead increase the doubt and conflict in his mind, just like his daughter. As the Sheikh is established as almost a mirror but inverse reflection of Said's traits, the readers find this discourse trustworthy, and start to realise the incorrectness of their thought processes. The Sheikh not only brings out the tragic flaws in Said, but rather also in the readers. At first, Said was considered as the person who had justifiable reasons for his revenge, just as the readers do for certain actions in their life. However, the dialogues of the Sheikh evokes a general sense of guilt and anxiety in the reader's mind and how they ought to be ashamed of making such rash decisions, just like Said.
A last important factor to be considered in the complexity of the Sheikh's usage. The Sheikh is not specifically used and developed as a character solely because Said's dad knew him; however, the title 'Sheikh' was used as such dubious dialogue could be justified. In Mahfouz's words, "This was the language of old times again, where word had a double meaning". Only an old religious person could justify this choice.
In the end, Mahfouz uses the Sheikh as a flat character who reflects Said's flaw. He acts as an inverse reflection, which allows the readers to evaluate their own actions from a different perspective, almost like considering what it would be like if the reader themselves had an inverse reflection, enforcing in what is my view one of the ancillary interpretations of this book.
1: Muslim communities of grace: the Sufi brotherhoods in Islamic religious life pg 94, Abun-Nasr, Jamil M. Columbia University Press. (2007)
