# V explained — Saïd the Fisherman

> Chapter companion for Saïd the Fisherman by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## What happens

Saïd and Hasneh continue their journey after the flood, encountering an old beggar who tricks a Christian missionary out of food and money. Saïd, still reeling from his losses, tries to impress the beggar with tales of his former wealth, but the beggar sees through his lies. They reach a village where Saïd learns the missionary has passed through, and he decides to follow him to Es-Shâm. After a brief rest at Muhammed abu Hassan's house, Saïd and Hasneh set out again, only to meet the same beggar, who reveals his true nature as a cunning manipulator.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

Saïd's insistence on his former greatness and his rivalry with the beggar over who was more wealthy underscores the importance of social status and the pain of losing it.

### Religion and Superstition

The beggar's manipulation of the Christian missionary's religious beliefs for personal gain, and the use of religious phrases to elicit pity, highlight the intersection of faith and deception.

### Betrayal and Trust

The beggar's initial act of tricking the missionary and later revealing his true nature to Saïd demonstrates a world where trust is easily exploited.

## Character check-ins

### Saïd the Fisherman

Continues his journey, still grieving his losses and trying to maintain his former status.

### Hasneh

Follows Saïd obediently, carrying their belongings and providing oranges when he is thirsty.

### Old Mustafa

The old beggar who tricks a Christian missionary and later reveals his true nature to Saïd.

### Muhammed abu Hassan

Hosts Saïd and Hasneh briefly, offering rest and advice.

## Key lines

> The sea rises not once in a hundred years, and then all the world knows of it. Yesterday, at the hour of sunset, I stood by the shore and beheld the sea calm and undisturbed as usual.

The old beggar dismisses Saïd's story of the flood, pointing out that such an event is extremely rare and that he himself saw the sea calm the previous evening.

_The beggar's skepticism highlights Saïd's lie and the theme of deception._

> Allah will give to thee! I am poor even as thou art. I, too, have been robbed and my house brought to ruin. I, too, was once a rich man, having flocks and herds, houses and vineyards, ay, and the half of a city belonging to me.

Saïd claims to be as poor as the beggar, asserting that he too was once wealthy but has lost everything.

_Saïd's attempt to match the beggar's story shows his pride and need to maintain his former identity._

## Links

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