Khaled · Chapter
VII explained
Khaled and Zehowah discuss the possibility of Khaled marrying Almasta.
What happens
Khaled and Zehowah discuss the possibility of Khaled marrying Almasta. Zehowah urges him to take her as a second wife, but Khaled refuses, partly due to his oath and partly because he hopes to provoke Zehowah's jealousy. Zehowah remains calm and logical, questioning his motives. Khaled eventually stops paying attention to Almasta, who becomes jealous and sullen. She later pleads with Khaled to let her stay, but he arranges her marriage to Abdullah ibn Mohammed el Herir, a Bedouin cousin of Abdul Kerim. Almasta reluctantly agrees after Khaled threatens her with death if harm comes to her new husband.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Khaled's love for Zehowah is contrasted with the practical, unemotional view of marriage held by Zehowah, who sees it as a duty. The chapter explores the tension between romantic love and marital obligation.
Deception and Rumor
Khaled's scheme to make Zehowah jealous by pretending to favor Almasta is a form of deception. Zehowah sees through it, and the plan backfires.
Gender and Agency
Almasta has little agency in her fate; she is given in marriage by Khaled despite her protests. Zehowah, though a woman, exercises influence through her wit and composure.
Characters to notice
- Khaled
Khaled struggles with his love for Zehowah and his plan to make her jealous by appearing to favor Almasta. He ultimately decides to marry Almasta off to another man.
- Zehowah
Zehowah remains composed and logical, urging Khaled to marry Almasta and questioning his motives. She later expresses weariness with Almasta's presence.
- Almasta
Almasta becomes jealous and sullen when Khaled ignores her. She pleads with him to let her stay, but he arranges her marriage to Abdullah ibn Mohammed el Herir.
- Abdullah ibn Mohammed el Herir
A young Bedouin, cousin to Abdul Kerim, who accepts Almasta as a wife, along with a grey mare and a garment as wedding gifts.
Key passages
“Take her, therefore, and be contented, for she loves you.”
Zehowah tells Khaled to marry Almasta because Almasta loves him.
Zehowah appears to encourage the marriage, testing Khaled's reaction.
“Death is stronger than man or woman, but love is stronger than death, and all else is but a vision seen in the desert, having no reality.”
Khaled declares that love transcends death, while everything else is illusory.
Khaled expresses his deep belief in the power of love, contrasting with Zehowah's more pragmatic view.
“Let her be married quickly, then. Is she a free woman, that she should resist, or is she rich that she should refuse alms?”
Zehowah insists that Almasta should be married off without delay, implying she has no right to refuse.
Zehowah's pragmatic and somewhat dismissive attitude toward Almasta's wishes.