Saïd the Fisherman · Chapter
XVIII explained
Mustafa leads Saïd to the house of Yuhanna the Christian, where Saïd sees Yuhanna's young daughter and becomes infatuated with her.
What happens
Mustafa leads Saïd to the house of Yuhanna the Christian, where Saïd sees Yuhanna's young daughter and becomes infatuated with her. Mustafa, disguised as a beggar, curses the family and plots revenge, promising Saïd the girl and half the treasure. Saïd is captivated by the girl's beauty and agrees to the plan, while Mustafa reveals his long-nurtured hatred and desire for vengeance.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Obsession
Saïd's immediate and intense infatuation with Yuhanna's daughter, described as a 'sick for love' and a 'hunger' in his eyes, drives his willingness to participate in Mustafa's vengeful scheme.
Betrayal and Trust
Mustafa's curse and plot to ruin Yuhanna's family, despite the girl's kindness in giving him money, highlights the theme of betrayal and the abuse of trust.
Violence and Chaos
Mustafa's explicit curses wishing rape, murder, and butchery on the family, and his vision of a coming storm of Islamic wrath, foreshadow violence and chaos.
Characters to notice
- Saïd the Fisherman
Accompanies Mustafa to Yuhanna's house and becomes enamored with Yuhanna's daughter, agreeing to Mustafa's vengeful plan.
- Old Mustafa
Leads Saïd to Yuhanna's house, curses the family, and reveals his plot for vengeance, promising Saïd the girl and treasure.
- Yuhanna the Christian
Owner of the house that Mustafa and Saïd visit; his daughter and son are the targets of Mustafa's curse.
Key passages
“May the girl be ravished! May her father be slain before her eyes, and her little brother butchered in her arms!”
Mustafa curses the family, wishing that the daughter be violated, the father killed in front of her, and the baby brother murdered in her arms.
Mustafa's virulent curse reveals his deep hatred and desire for revenge against Yuhanna's household.
“I am sick for love of her. As one athirst in the desert craves a cup of water, so is my desire for her.”
Saïd expresses his overwhelming desire for the girl, comparing his longing to a thirsty man in the desert craving water.
Saïd's passionate declaration underscores his obsessive infatuation.
“By Allah’s leave thou shalt enjoy her—if it were my last word, thou shalt possess her; so the dishonour of my father’s house shall be fitly avenged.”
Mustafa promises Saïd that he will have the girl, and that this will avenge the dishonor of his own family.
Mustafa reveals his personal motive of vengeance and his willingness to use Saïd as an instrument.