XVII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Betrayal and Trust

  Mustafa's story of Yuhanna's betrayal of his sister and family drives his quest for vengeance, and he places his trust in Saïd as an ally.

• Identity and Alienation

  Saïd, a fugitive, is drawn into Mustafa's world, feeling alienated by the old beggar's macabre enthusiasm and the strange environment of Nûr's vault.

• Greed and Moral Decline

  Mustafa's tale of Yuhanna's usury and exploitation of villagers, and his own willingness to use a fake withered hand for profit, illustrate moral decay.

Characters to notice

• Saïd the Fisherman

  Sits with Mustafa in Nûr's vault, listens to his story, and agrees to aid him in his vengeance against Yuhanna.

• Old Mustafa

  Reveals his hatred for Yuhanna, explains his withered hand as a beggar's trick, and shows Saïd the house of his enemy.

• Nûr

  The old harlot and matchmaker, in whose vault the meeting takes place; she is described as tall, masterful, and adorned with jewelry.

• Yuhanna the Nazarene

  The object of Mustafa's vengeance, accused of luring his sister into shame and causing his family's ruin.

• Mansûr

  Mustafa's son who forsook him; his likeness to Saïd is why Mustafa chose him as an ally.

Key passages

• “When a man has nothing he is not particular what work he undertake if only there be profit in it”

  A destitute man will take any job if it pays.

  Mustafa explains why he chose Saïd, recognizing his desperation.

• “I slew her and she bared her own breast to the knife.”

  I killed my sister, and she willingly accepted her fate.

  Mustafa confesses to killing his sister to preserve family honor.

• “It is a trick—no more. At first one has to be careful lest the blood should flow back to it; but that is all. It has been my stock-in-trade, the head of my wealth.”

  My withered hand is a fake, but it's my main source of income.

  Mustafa reveals the secret behind his beggar's disguise.