Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LVI explained
Lawrence describes his return to Cairo after four months of continuous travel in Arabia, including a 1,400-mile camel ride.
What happens
Lawrence describes his return to Cairo after four months of continuous travel in Arabia, including a 1,400-mile camel ride. He recounts his struggles with bureaucracy to secure transport and supplies, his meeting with Admiral Wemyss and General Allenby, and his efforts to secure support for the Arab revolt. The chapter highlights his physical exhaustion, his interactions with British military officials, and his strategic discussions with Allenby about the eastern tribes of Syria.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Endurance
Lawrence's physical exhaustion, saddle sores, and weight loss (under seven stone) highlight the extreme hardships of his journey.
War and Guerrilla Tactics
Lawrence advocates for using eastern tribes to threaten enemy communications, a guerrilla strategy that contrasts with Western conventional warfare.
Colonialism and Imperialism
British military bureaucracy and control over Arab resources (e.g., gold, supplies) reflect imperial dynamics in the region.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Narrator; exhausted after four months of travel, seeks bath and food, interacts with British officials, meets Allenby.
- General Allenby
Newly appointed commander; meets Lawrence, listens to his strategic plans, agrees to support him.
- General Clayton
Lawrence meets him in Cairo; arranges gold and escort for Nasir's debts.
- Sherif Nasir
Mentioned as needing gold to meet debts from notes issued at Bair, Jefer, and Guweira.
- General Lynden Bell
Mentioned as former Chief of Staff under Murray, described as solidly built of professional opinion.
- General Murray
Former commander; criticized for the failed second attack on Gaza, described as 'all brains and claws'.
Key passages
“I had ridden fourteen hundred miles by camel, not sparing myself anything to advance the war; but I refused to spend a single superfluous night with my familiar vermin.”
Lawrence had traveled 1,400 miles on camelback in four weeks, pushing himself hard for the war effort, but he was determined to avoid even one extra night with his usual lice.
Highlights Lawrence's physical endurance and his disgust with the conditions of travel.
“Allenby could not make out how much was genuine performer and how much charlatan.”
Allenby was uncertain whether Lawrence was a sincere and effective agent or a pretender.
Captures Allenby's initial skepticism about Lawrence's unconventional appearance and methods.