Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
XVI explained
Lawrence recounts his return to Cairo and Khartum, where he navigates political tensions among British commanders over the Rabegh question.
What happens
Lawrence recounts his return to Cairo and Khartum, where he navigates political tensions among British commanders over the Rabegh question. He writes a memorandum accusing Colonel Bremond of ulterior motives, which Sir Archibald Murray uses to undermine Arab experts. Lawrence meets General Lynden Bell, who urges him to reassure the nervous Commander-in-Chief. In Khartum, he briefs Sir Reginald Wingate, who is sympathetic to the Arab Revolt. The chapter also describes a night march through Wadi Safra and the Dhifran pass, with vivid landscape details of lava fields and dunes, ending near Yenbo.
Themes in this chapter
Colonialism and Imperialism
Lawrence's memorandum accuses Bremond of pursuing French colonial interests under the guise of military necessity, highlighting imperial rivalries.
Honor and Deception
Lawrence uses deception and political maneuvering to sway commanders, while accusing Bremond of dishonorable motives.
Suffering and Endurance
Lawrence's physical discomfort during the night march—sweat, heat, gritty eyelids—illustrates the endurance required in the desert.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Narrates his political maneuvering in Cairo and Khartum, writes a memorandum against Bremond, and describes a night march through Hejaz.
- General Clayton
Lawrence's superior in the Arab Bureau; receives Lawrence's memorandum and brings it to Sir Archibald Murray.
- General Lynden Bell
Chief of Staff who intercepts Lawrence before meeting the Commander-in-Chief, urging him to be soothing and promising support for Arab supplies.
- Sir Reginald Wingate
Lawrence meets him in Khartum; Wingate is sympathetic to the Arab Revolt and later becomes High Commissioner in Egypt.
- Joyce
First meeting with Lawrence at Port Sudan; one of the British officers who will help organize Arab forces.
- Colonel Bremond
Head of French Military Mission at Jidda; Lawrence accuses him of ulterior motives in pushing for Allied intervention in Hejaz.
- Aziz el Masri
Mentioned as the organizer of the Arab Regular Force at Rabegh, to be assisted by Joyce and Davenport.
Key passages
“Clayton took the memorandum to Sir Archibald Murray, who, liking its acidity and force, promptly wired it all home to London as proof that the Arab experts asking this sacrifice of valuable troops from him were divided about its wisdom and honesty, even in their own camp.”
Clayton gave the memo to Murray, who eagerly sent it to London to show that the Arab experts were themselves split on the issue.
Lawrence's memo is used by Murray to undermine the Arab cause.
“I was hugely amused, inwardly, and promised to be good, but pointed out that my object was to secure the extra stores and arms and officers the Arabs needed, and how for this end I must enlist the interest, and, if necessary (for I would stick at nothing in the way of duty), even the excitement of the Commander-in-Chief.”
Lawrence was secretly amused but agreed to be diplomatic, explaining he needed to stir the Commander-in-Chief's enthusiasm to get supplies for the Arabs.
Lawrence's pragmatic approach to manipulating superiors for the Arab cause.
“I accused Colonel Bremond of having motives of his own, not military, nor taking account of Arab interests and of the importance of the revolt to us; and quoted his words and acts in Hejaz as evidence against him.”
Lawrence charged Bremond with pursuing personal or French political goals, not military ones, and used Bremond's own actions as proof.
Lawrence's direct accusation against Bremond's interventionist plans.
