Passage Analysis

"The thought choked him with despair, not merely because he would soon lose a safe hiding place, but because he also knew he'd lost affection and companionship as well. He saw her there in the dark before him--Nur, with all her smiles and fun-making, her love and her unhappiness--and the terrible depression he felt made him aware that she had penetrated much deeper within him than he had imagined, that she had become a part of him, and that she should never have been separated from this life of his which was in shreds and tottering on the brink of an abyss. Closing his eyes in the darkness, he silently acknowledged that he did love her and that he would not hesitate to give his own life to bring her back safe. Then one thought made him growl in anger: "And yet would her destruction cause so much as a single ripple anywhere?" No, definitely not. Not even a pretense of grief would be made for loss of Nur, who was only a woman with no protector, adrift on a sea of waves either indifferent or hostile. And Sana, too, might well find herself one day with no one who cared to look after her. These thoughts scared and angered him and he gripped his gun and pointed it in front of him in the dark, as though warning the unknown. In deep despair, delirious in the silence and dark, he began to sob; and sobbed until late in the night sleep finally overcame him." 

The following passage is situated after the disappearance of Nur where Said expresses a monologue that contributes to the theme of self-actualization. The purpose of this passage is to contrast with many other key passages as Mahfouz decides to depict Said in a different light to showcase the vulnerable side of Said. Taking into consideration the stream of consciousness, Mahfouz is able to achieve this by overlapping Said’s indecisiveness with his lack of compassion. This passage characterizes Said as a compassionate man as he deviates from the norms of his masculine characteristics whilst, conforming to the traits of a tragic hero. Especially when Said realizes that the feelings of  sadness and loneliness all leads back to Nur leaving him. 

Said is experiencing a sense of betrayal and he feels guilty about not showing Nur enough love as he continues to rethink his actions and questions his existence in her life by asking himself “and yet would her destruction cause so much as a single ripple anywhere.” Mahfouz uses imagery such as waves in order to mimic the state of Said’s mind as he questions himself  in order to intensify the true value of psychological realism. This enables readers to have a better insight on the characterization of Said because of the slow pacing that these monologues offer, allowing readers to have a better outlook on the situation for reflection and judgement. Additionally, Mahfouz gives readers said’s perspective that include Sana which allows the reader to see this parental and protective father figure that thinks about his daughter to reflect on his decisions. 

Moreover, Mahfouz uses repetition of the word “dark” throughout this passage to create an atmosphere that reflects the dark feelings and emotions Said is experiencing because of Nur’s departure which consequently foreshadows his downfall as it becomes clear that without his loved ones by his side, he questions his existence. From this passage, it becomes clear to the readers that Said is miserable due to Nur leaving him and this has a big impact on him as he starts to question himself and begins to make impulsive decisions such as grabbing the gun and pointing it towards the wall only to begin sobbing.

This passage shows a compassionate and sorrowful Said who is not controlled by his ego  that drives him to be so revenge thirsty. He finally decides to take a step back and recognize his wrong doings while experiencing a sense of betrayal, insecurity and loss of hope.