Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
VII explained
Lawrence describes the bureaucratic and political struggles surrounding the Arab Revolt, including his own efforts to escape the General Staff in Egypt to join the Arab Bureau, the difficulties faced by High Commissioner McMahon due to mili
What happens
Lawrence describes the bureaucratic and political struggles surrounding the Arab Revolt, including his own efforts to escape the General Staff in Egypt to join the Arab Bureau, the difficulties faced by High Commissioner McMahon due to military and diplomatic infighting, and the deteriorating situation in the Hejaz as Turkish forces advanced.
Themes in this chapter
Colonialism and Imperialism
The chapter highlights imperial rivalries and bureaucratic infighting among British and French officials, undermining the Arab Revolt and treating it as a pawn in larger geopolitical games.
Honor and Deception
Lawrence uses deception and stratagems to escape the General Staff, while French and British officials engage in dishonest intrigues against Sherif Hussein.
Futility and Meaning
The Arab Revolt is discredited by staff officers who prophesy its failure, yet Lawrence sees it as a cause worth pursuing, contrasting bureaucratic pettiness with meaningful action.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Lawrence, as a Staff Captain under Clayton, invents the Arab Bulletin and uses stratagems to secure a transfer to the Arab Bureau, joining Storrs for a trip to Jidda.
- General Clayton
Clayton is driven out of the General Staff but helps Lawrence arrange his transfer to the Arab Bureau; he is credited with the success of the Arab Revolt negotiations.
- Ronald Storrs
Storrs travels with Lawrence to Jidda on business with the Grand Sherif, providing Lawrence a pretext for leave.
- Sherif Hussein
Sherif Hussein's rebellion and opening of the coast to Allied ships is noted; he is the target of French intrigue and Turkish advances.
- Sir Henry McMahon
McMahon successfully negotiates with Mecca but faces opposition from General Murray and is undermined by his own staff.
- Sir Reginald Wingate
Wingate takes military control of cooperation with the Sherif and lands foreign troops at Rabegh, but dissociates from McMahon amid criticism.
- General Lynden Bell
Lynden Bell, as Chief of Staff, supports Murray's opposition to the Arab campaign, described as a 'red soldier' with a heartiness.
- Colonel Bremond
The French Military Mission under Bremond carries out an elaborate intrigue against Sherif Hussein in Jidda and Mecca.
Key passages
“I decided that I must escape at once, if ever. A straight request was refused; so I took to stratagems.”
Lawrence resolved to leave his post by any means, and when a direct request was denied, he resorted to clever tricks.
Lawrence's determination to join the Arab Bureau leads him to use deception against the General Staff.
“The credit of the new factor was to McMahon and Clayton: professional jealousies immediately raised their heads.”
McMahon and Clayton were responsible for the success of the Arab Revolt, but their achievement sparked envy among other officials.
The chapter emphasizes how personal rivalries hindered the war effort.
“He disliked the civil power, which had so long kept the peace between himself and General Maxwell. He could not be entrusted with the Arabian affair; for neither he nor his staff had the ethnological competence needed to deal with so curious a problem.”
General Murray resented civilian oversight and was unfit to handle the Arab situation due to his staff's lack of cultural understanding.
Lawrence criticizes the military's inability to grasp the complexities of the Arab Revolt.
