TATD Blog Post.

Within the eleventh chapter, we see deep characteristics of Said, through the flashbacks from his childhood. We understand how both his parents died at a young age, and he was forced to take up a life of a thief. We further understand the importance of the Sheik, who has been a role model throughout his childhood. In particular, we see how his father introduced him to the Sheik to understand the focused points of views.

“The only entertainment he knew was making pilgrimage to the home of Sheikh Ali al- Junaydi, and it was through your father that you came to know the house.”

This Shows the simplicity of his childhood, and the relationship that he had with the sheikh, knowing him from a young age, furthermore this characterizes Said, while the reader would feel more sympathy for Said at the same time. Lastly, It articulates on the bond him and his father shared, which was not the strongest, however, both respected each other.

“And how enchanted you were by his fine white beard!”

 This specific quote further strengthens the idea of his childhood and his interest towards the Sheik, also showing his small-minded childhood, noting that he only cared about his beard rather than him as a person.

 “he days passed like dreams. And then your good father disappeared, suddenly gone, in a way that a boy simply could not comprehend, and that seemed to baffle even Sheikh Ali himself. How shocked you were that morning, shaking your head and rubbing your eyes to clear away the sleep, awakened by your mother's screams and tears in the little room at the entrance to the students' hostel! “

Furthermore, we see what Said went through at his young age. As he was so close to his family, it was extremely traumatic to go through a tragedy at such a young age. This once more Characterizes Said as someone who has seen a lot and faced a lot, it also adds sympathy from the audience towards Said, whom we can understand does not live in a financially safe situation. 

 Lastly

“And then your mother died. You almost died yourself during your mother's illness “

This is the extreme movement in the text which further drives the conflict and characterizes Said once more, here we understand that not only did Said’s Farther die, but also his mother. This characterizes Said and adds sympathy towards him from the audience. Overall we see the significance of flashbacks to characterization.