Nur’s unreturned love: When she is with Said in the car, Nur constantly “[harps] on the subject of affection”(198), much to Said’s discontent. She acts very emphatically and wishes that he would to open up to her. Despite this, he rejects her advances and continues to act coldly towards her citing that his heart was “locked up in prison, according to regulations”(198).
Luck/Fate: “look how luck has sent me this car!”(197). Said sees the car as a gift of fate and not as help given by Nur. He seems to neglect her and doesn’t see her as important to him. At least, not yet.
Said’s Revenge: Said points out that he needs the gun and car as they are the “tools of the trade”(197). This acts as a foreshadowing as to what Said’s intentions are for getting his revenge. He may possibly end up spilling blood.
Said as a “Robin Hood”: Said mentions that Rauf Ilwan used to say that “[the thieves’] intentions were good but [they] lacked order or discipline”(195). This indicates that the thieves may have had a sense of honour among themselves, possibly similar to “Robin Hood” types of characters(those who steal from the rich and give to the poor).
Violence and Crime: Said is clearly used to doing criminal things. He thrusts “the gun so menacingly close that the young man began to plead” (196). All his actions seem planned and happen smoothly, like he is going through a planned routine.
By: Anna Heltmann on February 27, 2009
at 10:27 am