Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
XLIII explained
Lawrence, Auda, and Nasir lead a grueling desert march from Wadi Fejr to Arfaja in Sirhan, enduring extreme heat, thirst, and difficult terrain.
What happens
Lawrence, Auda, and Nasir lead a grueling desert march from Wadi Fejr to Arfaja in Sirhan, enduring extreme heat, thirst, and difficult terrain. They find water at Fejr, hunt gazelles, and later encounter ostriches and oryx. The chapter highlights the physical hardships of desert travel and the camaraderie among the men.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Endurance
The chapter vividly describes the physical torment of extreme heat, thirst, and blinding glare, and the men's determination to continue.
Culture and Otherness
Lawrence contrasts his own delicate townsfolk background with the hardy Bedouin ways, learning from Nasir's patience and Auda's pragmatism.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Narrator and participant in the march, suffering from the heat and learning from Nasir.
- Auda abu Tayi
Leads the hunting and navigation, grumbling about the Nefudh and the camels.
- Sherif Nasir
Host and teacher, showing kindness and patience to the townsfolk.
- Nesib el Bekri
Present on the march, part of the group enjoying the feast.
- Ibn Zaal
Sent to hunt gazelles and later kills an oryx.
- Zeki
Mentioned as one of the delicate townsfolk benefiting from the rest.
Key passages
“We grew short-answered to one another; but relief came toward six o'clock, when we halted for supper, and baked ourselves fresh bread.”
The group became irritable from exhaustion, but found relief when they stopped for an evening meal.
Illustrates the strain of the march and the restorative power of rest and food.
“Auda drew his silver-hilted dagger and chipped the top of the first egg. A stink like a pestilence went across our party.”
When Auda opened the first ostrich egg, a terrible smell spread among the men.
A humorous moment highlighting the unexpected challenges of desert foraging.