Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LVII explained
Lawrence reports to Clayton in Cairo about the capture of Akaba and advocates for Feisal's transfer to Allenby's command.
What happens
Lawrence reports to Clayton in Cairo about the capture of Akaba and advocates for Feisal's transfer to Allenby's command. He negotiates with King Hussein in Jidda, then rushes to Guweira to confront Auda abu Tayi and Mohammed el Dheilan about suspected treachery with the Turks, which they explain as a ruse to extract money from the enemy. Lawrence secures their loyalty with promises of support and returns to Akaba.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Deception
Auda and Mohammed's ruse with the Turks involves deception for material gain, while Lawrence uses his knowledge of their secret dealings to maintain their loyalty.
War and Guerrilla Tactics
Lawrence's strategic planning for Akaba's defense and the transfer of Feisal's army reflects guerrilla warfare and logistical maneuvering.
Colonialism and Imperialism
The British command structure and the transfer of Feisal to Allenby's sphere illustrate imperial coordination and the subordination of Arab forces to Allied strategy.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Reports to Clayton, negotiates with King Hussein, and confronts Auda about suspected treachery.
- General Clayton
Lawrence opens himself completely to Clayton; Clayton agrees to Joyce as commander at Akaba and helps arrange Feisal's transfer.
- Joyce
Appointed commanding officer at Akaba; described as serene, patient, and devoted.
- Emir Feisal
Lawrence meets with Feisal at Jeida to discuss plans; Feisal writes to his father and orders his army to march on Akaba.
- Sherif Hussein
King Hussein meets Lawrence in Jidda; accepts Feisal's transfer to Allenby after Wilson's help.
- Auda abu Tayi
Suspected of treachery with the Turks; explains it as a ruse to rob the enemy; accepts Lawrence's advance payment.
- Mohammed el Dheilan
Involved in the alleged correspondence with the Turks; explains he used Auda's seal to trick the Governor of Maan.
- Sherif Nasir
Lawrence meets Nasir at Akaba; Nasir sells Lawrence the camel Ghazala and is given leave to Mecca.
Key passages
“Upon Clayton I opened myself completely. Akaba had been taken on my plan by my effort. The cost of it had fallen on my brains and nerves.”
Lawrence confided fully in Clayton, claiming full credit for the capture of Akaba and the personal toll it took on him.
Lawrence asserts his ownership of the Akaba plan and its mental cost.
“The Arabs said that each man believed his ticks to be gazelles: I did, fervently.”
Lawrence acknowledges his own self-importance, comparing his ambitions to the Arab proverb about exaggerating one's own worth.
Lawrence reflects on his own vanity and ambition.
“Auda began to laugh; Mohammed to look disgusted. At last they explained elaborately that Mohammed had taken Auda's seal and written to the Governor of Maan, offering to desert the Sherif's cause.”
Auda laughed and Mohammed looked disgusted as they explained that Mohammed had used Auda's seal to pretend to defect to the Turks, then robbed the messenger.
The explanation of the apparent treachery as a trick to steal Turkish gifts.
