What does Sheik al Junaydi represent in The Thief and the Dogs? How is he significant to the characterization of Said Mahran? How does he contribute to the themes of the text?

Sheik al Junaydi is a secondary character however, through the portrayal of the interaction between the Sheik and Said Mahran, the protagonist of the text, Sheik is symbolized as the conscience voice of Said Mahran. Said Mahran’s morals are depicted through the characterization of Said Mahran.

Sheik al Junaydi was the mentor of Said’s father and so when Said is released from jail, he goes to the Sheik’s place in order to find a place to reside, as he has nothing left. At this point, the audience feels sympathy towards Said because this is immediately after his daughter, Sana, rejects him. It is also seen that Said has respect for the Sheik; even though throughout the text it seems as if Said’s perception on everyone else is that he is outcasted.

There are many instances where Said Mahran morals are consciously shaken by the words of Sheik and this is seen through Said’s immediate infuriation at Sheik’s words. When Sheik lets Said stay at his place, which is more of a religious house where people come to pray, Said starts showing his gratitude by thanking him and saying that he knew he wouldn’t look badly upon him because he was in jail. The Sheik’s response is that he isn’t the judge but rather, it is god or the most supreme that is the judge of right or wrong. This immediately establishes how the Sheik himself doesn’t believe that Said’s character is morally strong and Said catches on to that implication and therefore he starts explaining his problems including how his own daughter rejected, maybe in the hopes of gaining sympathy and to be seen as the victim however, he is faced with the Sheik’s nonchalance. Also, the Sheik instantly realizes Said’s dishonesty and that is why he responds with, ‘ You seek a roof, not an answer,’ when Said verbally expresses his thankfulness through the use of god.

The tone of the Sheik contrasts to the rest of the novel. The novel as a whole is very fast paced and has a sense of urgency to it whereas in the midst of all this ‘chaos’ that is going on; the Sheik is the only character with a calm and soothing aura to him. This deliberate characterization of Said is done in order to convey the message that no matter what the situation is, the use of free will can be very advantageous and can act as a great determinant of one’s fate if used with a calm mind and Said completely disregards this calm nature and influence of the Sheik- this is demonstrated through the many opportunities of free will Said is presented with not only through actions and opportunities, but also through words of advice from the Sheik, that could have led to a different, if not better, fate of Said Mahran, as any fate is arguably better than death. As the story progresses, more opportunities of free will and essentially ‘endless’ second chances have been given to Said which leads to the audience feeling frustrated, losing sympathy and wondering why he’s so stubborn in the belief that he is essentially ‘invincible.’ Naguib Mahfouz’s purpose of demonstrating increased opportunities of free will with the progression of the text is to show the audience that his insanity is led by the perception of his own fate. Additionally, not being able to realize that his free will was what guided his fate and not his invincibility was his fatal flaw in my opinion.

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