# XIV explained — Seven Pillars of Wisdom

> Chapter companion for Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence.

## What happens

Lawrence observes a mixed company of Arabs and describes Feisal's masterful tact and leadership. He reflects on Sherif Hussein's character and upbringing of his sons, and recounts a debate about Arab nationalism, British alliance, and the execution of Arab leaders by Jemal Pasha. The chapter explores the tension between tribal independence and the abstract idea of nationality.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Betrayal

Debate over Arab leaders executed for treason; tension between loyalty to nation and foreign alliances.

### Colonialism and Imperialism

Arabs fear British territorial ambitions; Feisal reflects on Britain's hunger for desolate lands.

### Culture and Otherness

Mixed company of tribes, townsmen, and foreigners; clash of tribal independence with abstract nationalism.

### Honor and Deception

Sherif Hussein's use of speech to conceal purpose; Feisal's concealed art of leadership.

## Character check-ins

### Emir Feisal

Shows masterful tact and command of conversation, governing men unconsciously.

### Sherif Hussein

Described as outwardly gentle but crafty, with deep ambition and un-Arabian foresight.

### Ronald Storrs

Efficient but parades his strength, in contrast to Feisal's natural leadership.

### T.E. Lawrence

Throws apples of discord to sound the company's beliefs; poses as a Syrian.

### Sherif Abdulla

Mentioned in Lawrence's story about Abdulla el Raashid's fear of British presence.

## Key lines

> Feisal seemed to govern his men unconsciously: hardly to know how he stamped his mind on them, hardly to care whether they obeyed. It was as great art as Storrs'; and it concealed itself, for Feisal was born to it.

Feisal led naturally and effortlessly, unlike Storrs who deliberately displayed his skill.

_Comparison of leadership styles between Feisal and Storrs._

> The Semites’ idea of nationality was the independence of clans and villages, and their ideal of national union was episodic combined resistance to an intruder.

For the Arabs, nationality meant local autonomy, not a unified state; they united only temporarily against a common enemy.

_Lawrence's analysis of Arab political ideals._

> Christian fights Christian, so why should not Muhammadans do the same? What we want is a Government which speaks our own language of Arabic and will let us live in peace. Also we hate those Turks.

Arabs saw no religious barrier to fighting fellow Muslims, as Christians fought each other; their priority was Arabic governance and peace, and they resented Turkish rule.

_Tribal justification for rebellion against the Ottoman Empire._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters