Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LXXXVIII explained
Lawrence spends three pleasant nights at Guweira with Alan Dawnay and Joyce, discussing the recent failed expedition to Mudowwara.
What happens
Lawrence spends three pleasant nights at Guweira with Alan Dawnay and Joyce, discussing the recent failed expedition to Mudowwara. He receives thirty thousand pounds in gold and his cream camel Wodheiha. With temporary followers from Feisal, he sets out through harsh weather, encountering Saleh ibn Shefia and enduring extreme cold and difficult terrain, including snow and a biting north wind. The chapter highlights the suffering of Maulud's men camped near Maan.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Endurance
Lawrence and his party endure extreme cold, wind, and difficult terrain; Maulud's men suffer for months in harsh conditions.
Honor and Deception
The failed Mudowwara expedition highlights issues of cooperation and honor among regulars and irregulars.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Narrator; receives gold and camel, travels through harsh conditions.
- Alan Dawnay
Present at Guweira; discussed the Mudowwara expedition.
- Joyce
Present at Guweira; discussed the Mudowwara expedition.
- Emir Feisal
Lent Lawrence temporary followers Serj and Rameid.
- Saleh ibn Shefia
Hosted Lawrence in his tent during the journey.
- Maulud el Mukhlus
Commanded the force camped near Maan, enduring harsh winter conditions.
Key passages
“Nothing in Arabia could be more cutting than a north wind at Maan, and today’s was of the sharpest and strongest.”
The north wind at Maan was exceptionally harsh and biting.
Describes the extreme weather conditions.
“Rather more than half of them died or were injured by the cold and wet; yet the others maintained their watch, exchanging shots daily with the Turkish outposts, and protected only by the inclement weather from crushing counterattack.”
Over half of Maulud's men were casualties of the weather, but the rest continued their duty, shielded from Turkish attack by the same harsh conditions.
Highlights the endurance and sacrifice of Maulud's force.