Part I: The Book of His Luck
Central character introduced; his story begins.
I
The protagonist, a poor fisherman with ambitions of becoming a coffeehouse owner and rising to Effendi, Bey, and Emir. He loses his day's earnings when startled by horsemen and later beats his wife in frustration.
II
Distraught over his stolen savings, seeks advice from Abdullah, and returns home to find hope in Hasneh's cooking.
III
Saïd wavers about leaving, recovers his lost coins, and ultimately flees due to Abdullah's warning about the Basha.
IV
Flees with Hasneh, loses his donkey to soldiers, and invents a false story about inheritance.
V
Continues his journey, still grieving his losses and trying to maintain his former status.
VI
Leaves Hasneh with a villager, robs a camel-driver, and continues his journey.
VII
Saïd seeks the missionary's bounty, is rebuffed, and then trespasses in the house, trying on the Frank's clothes.
VIII
Flees from the house after being discovered, escapes Cassim, and taunts him from the cistern.
IX
Struts in a missionary's robe, dreams of revenge, and plays the role of a high officer at the khan.
The Arrival at the Great City
Arrives at the great city, feels lonely, and seeks lodging. He is taken for a superior due to his cloak and horse.
XI
Awakens in the khan, plans to sell his horse, observes the litigant's speech, and rides through the city, feeling both awe and greed.
XII
At the horse market, feeling out of place among high company, he is mocked for his robe and tries to save face with a lie.
XIII
Hires Selìm as servant, buys a new robe, and seeks entertainment in the city.
XIV
Grieves over his lost wealth, initially rejects Selìm's proposal but eventually agrees to become partners.
XV
Presents a fabricated tale of destitution to the Sherìf, but is exposed as a liar and denied alms.
XVI
Grows tired of his partnership with Selìm, longing for his old roving life. He is tempted by the old beggar's offer of riches and adventure.
XVII
Sits with Mustafa in Nûr's vault, listens to his story, and agrees to aid him in his vengeance against Yuhanna.
XVIII
Accompanies Mustafa to Yuhanna's house and becomes enamored with Yuhanna's daughter, agreeing to Mustafa's vengeful plan.
XIX
Present in the tavern, enjoying the stories and feeling reassured by Mustafa's attention.
XX
Obsessed with Yuhanna's daughter, he spies on her daily, shuns Selìm, and assists Mustafa in the growing unrest.
XXI
Walks to Yuhanna's house, meets Selìm, joins the mob, and is arrested for cursing the Christians.
XXII
Imprisoned and chained with other convicts, forced to sweep streets; freed during the riot.
XXIII
Rescues Ferideh from the mob, carries her to Nûr's house, and is overwhelmed by his love for her.
XXIV
Returns with news of the search for them and the gathering of Drûz and Christian forces. He rouses Mustafa by invoking the faith of Muhammed and preparing for the next day's slaughter.
XXV
Joins the riot, kills a Nazarene, and plans to visit Ferideh.
XXVI
Returns to Nûr's cellar, seeks the girl, is cleansed and fed, then hurries to meet Mustafa, hearing his confession.
XXVII
Grieves for Mustafa but is also preoccupied with securing the treasure; he retrieves the hidden chest and hides it in his trousers.
XXVIII
Flees the city with stolen treasure, plagued by fear and hallucinations; reunites with Hasneh and plans a new life.
I
Wealthy carpet merchant, considering buying Mahmud Effendi's house, dismisses Selìm's advice.
II
Now a merchant, Saïd attempts to buy Mahmud Effendi's house, displaying his ambition and shrewdness in negotiation.
III
Saïd returns home and is confronted by Hasneh. He is testy and tries to dismiss her, but is caught in the conflict between his wife and his favorite. He tends to Ferideh's injury with care.
IV
Saïd is torn between his love for Ferideh and his sense of duty towards Hasneh, reflecting on his reputation and the advice of his servant Selìm.
V
Enraged over the potential loss of his treasure, he curses Nûr and plans to move his money, revealing his distrust and obsession with wealth.
VI
Saïd is triumphant about his bargain to buy a palace and dreams of becoming the richest man in the province. He is intrigued by the English travelers and expresses a desire to visit England.
VII
Walks through the bazaars, receives his fortune, and is publicly accused of murder.
VIII
Now a wealthy merchant, Saïd is consumed by pride and obsession with his treasure, leading to his downfall.
IX
Saïd is now known as 'the Fisherman' and is destitute, facing ruin and public shame due to rumors that he murdered his adopted father.
Chapter X
Feels lonely and uneasy in Beyrût, meets Abdullah, lies about his wealth, plans to escape to England.
XI
Flees by swimming to the steamer, carrying his savings in a bundle.
XII
Awakens on the steamer, checks his hidden money, feels homesickness, and later escapes at Nabuli to find another ship to Lûndra.
XIII
Saïd arrives in England, feeling homesick and frightened by the industrial city, and is coerced into drinking alcohol at a tavern.
XIV
Wakes up disoriented and sick, discovers his money stolen, and wanders the city in despair.
XV
Delirious and unresponsive in a London hospital, haunted by visions of home and a mysterious army.
XVI
Regains partial awareness, struggles with identity, feels joy at returning to familiar surroundings, attacks the missionary, and runs through the city.
XVII
Recovered from sunstroke, lives as honored guest, spends days in peaceful contemplation, later joins riot and is killed.
Time Table to Part I
Mentioned as leaving his native town, house, and fig-tree by the seashore in 1860.
Time Table to Part II
Departs Damascus in 1871 and meets his death in the Alexandria riot of 1882.
