# III explained — Saïd the Fisherman

> Chapter companion for Saïd the Fisherman by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## What happens

Saïd, initially resolved to flee after losing his savings, wavers at dawn. Abdullah, his partner, warns him that the Basha has heard of his hidden wealth and reminds him of Ali ebn Mahmud's fate, terrifying Saïd into flight. Saïd and Hasneh depart hastily, leaving everything behind. Later, Saïd returns to the beach to recover his lost coins, finding most of them. He then prepares to leave, but Abdullah's warning about the Basha's interest in his wealth and the threat of torture convinces him to depart, despite his reluctance to leave his homeland.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Luck

Saïd's fortune turns as he recovers his lost coins, but his fate is sealed by Abdullah's warning, forcing him to flee.

### Displacement and Homesickness

Saïd is torn between staying in his birthplace and fleeing to a strange land, feeling sick at the thought of leaving his familiar home.

### Greed and Moral Decline

Abdullah's warning reveals the Basha's greed for Saïd's wealth, and Abdullah himself takes over Saïd's property, showing moral decay.

## Character check-ins

### Saïd the Fisherman

Saïd wavers about leaving, recovers his lost coins, and ultimately flees due to Abdullah's warning about the Basha.

### Hasneh

Hasneh prepares the donkey and bundle for departure, following Saïd as they flee.

### Abdullah abu Azìz

Abdullah warns Saïd about the Basha's interest in his wealth and the fate of Ali ebn Mahmud, prompting Saïd's flight.

## Key lines

> My mind is changed. Perhaps I go not.

Saïd changes his mind about leaving, deciding he might stay.

_Saïd's initial hesitation to flee._

> The Basha has heard of thy wealth which thou pretendest to have lost.

The Basha knows about your hidden wealth that you claim to have lost.

_Abdullah warns Saïd about the Basha's knowledge._

> To Es-Shâm⁠—to Baghdad⁠—to India!⁠—far away! What matter, so that I be out of his reach.

To Damascus, Baghdad, India—anywhere far away, as long as I escape his reach.

_Saïd's desperate flight to avoid the Basha._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters