# Saïd the Fisherman — Saïd the Fisherman character guide > Saïd the Fisherman in Saïd the Fisherman by Marmaduke Pickthall. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Saïd, Saïd Effendi, O Saïd, Emìr Saïd, Saïd Agha **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot A fisherman of sharp wits who claws his way from the nets to a merchant's palace, only to find his cleverness no shield against rumor, guilt, and the women of his house. ## Who they are Saïd rises from poverty to a great palace and wealth, hugging himself as the cleverest man alive, yet his triumph rests on a secret he cannot confess. He keeps Hasneh in confinement and refuses her pleas, while Ferideh's devotion feeds his pride and quiets his conscience with promises of better treatment to come. His ascent and its hidden cost drive the early arc, making every new honor feel precarious. ## Relationships ### [Hasneh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/hasneh) _family_ Hasneh is Saïd's wife, deeply devoted to him and their family despite his struggles. ### [Ferideh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/ferideh) _family_ Ferideh is Saïd's daughter, who cares for him but is caught between his world and her own ambitions. ### [The old beggar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/the_old_beggar) _psychological_ The old beggar serves as a haunting mirror and conscience for Saïd, representing his guilt and fate. ### [Old Mustafa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/old_mustafa) _friendship_ Old Mustafa is a loyal friend and fellow fisherman who shares Saïd's hardships and wisdom. ### [Abdullah abu Azìz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/abdullah_abu_aziz) _rivalry_ Abdullah abu Azìz is a rival fisherman who competes with Saïd for resources and status. ### [The servant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/the_servant) _professional_ The servant works for Saïd's household, often bearing the brunt of his moods and commands. ### [Nûr](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/nur) _romantic_ Nûr is a woman with whom Saïd shares a passionate but troubled romantic connection. ### [Mahmud Effendi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/mahmud_effendi) _professional_ Mahmud Effendi is a merchant or official who employs or trades with Saïd, creating a dependency. ### [The officer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/the_officer) _rivalry_ The officer represents authority and often clashes with Saïd over legal and social boundaries. ### [Selìm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/selim) _friendship_ Selìm is a close companion and fellow outcast who shares Saïd's adventures and miseries. ### [The Franks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/the_franks) _social_ The Franks are foreign traders or travelers whom Saïd encounters, representing external influences and cultural clashes. ### [Mûsa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/musa) _friendship_ Mûsa is a fellow fisherman and ally who supports Saïd in times of need. ## In the story ### [Part I: The Book of His Luck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/part-i-the-book-of-his-luck) Central character introduced; his story begins. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/ii) Distraught over his stolen savings, seeks advice from Abdullah, and returns home to find hope in Hasneh's cooking. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/iii) Saïd wavers about leaving, recovers his lost coins, and ultimately flees due to Abdullah's warning about the Basha. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/iv) Flees with Hasneh, loses his donkey to soldiers, and invents a false story about inheritance. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/v) Continues his journey, still grieving his losses and trying to maintain his former status. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/vi) Leaves Hasneh with a villager, robs a camel-driver, and continues his journey. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/vii) Saïd seeks the missionary's bounty, is rebuffed, and then trespasses in the house, trying on the Frank's clothes. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/viii) Flees from the house after being discovered, escapes Cassim, and taunts him from the cistern. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/x) Arrives at the great city, feels lonely, and seeks lodging. He is taken for a superior due to his cloak and horse. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xiii) Hires Selìm as servant, buys a new robe, and seeks entertainment in the city. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xiv) Grieves over his lost wealth, initially rejects Selìm's proposal but eventually agrees to become partners. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xv) Presents a fabricated tale of destitution to the Sherìf, but is exposed as a liar and denied alms. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xvii) Sits with Mustafa in Nûr's vault, listens to his story, and agrees to aid him in his vengeance against Yuhanna. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xviii) Accompanies Mustafa to Yuhanna's house and becomes enamored with Yuhanna's daughter, agreeing to Mustafa's vengeful plan. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xix) Present in the tavern, enjoying the stories and feeling reassured by Mustafa's attention. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xx) Obsessed with Yuhanna's daughter, he spies on her daily, shuns Selìm, and assists Mustafa in the growing unrest. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xxi) Walks to Yuhanna's house, meets Selìm, joins the mob, and is arrested for cursing the Christians. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xxii) Imprisoned and chained with other convicts, forced to sweep streets; freed during the riot. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xxiii) Rescues Ferideh from the mob, carries her to Nûr's house, and is overwhelmed by his love for her. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xxv) Joins the riot, kills a Nazarene, and plans to visit Ferideh. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xxvi) Returns to Nûr's cellar, seeks the girl, is cleansed and fed, then hurries to meet Mustafa, hearing his confession. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xxvii) Grieves for Mustafa but is also preoccupied with securing the treasure; he retrieves the hidden chest and hides it in his trousers. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xxviii) Flees the city with stolen treasure, plagued by fear and hallucinations; reunites with Hasneh and plans a new life. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/i) Wealthy carpet merchant, considering buying Mahmud Effendi's house, dismisses Selìm's advice. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/ii) Now a merchant, Saïd attempts to buy Mahmud Effendi's house, displaying his ambition and shrewdness in negotiation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/vii) Walks through the bazaars, receives his fortune, and is publicly accused of murder. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/viii) Now a wealthy merchant, Saïd is consumed by pride and obsession with his treasure, leading to his downfall. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/x) Feels lonely and uneasy in Beyrût, meets Abdullah, lies about his wealth, plans to escape to England. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xi) Flees by swimming to the steamer, carrying his savings in a bundle. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xii) Awakens on the steamer, checks his hidden money, feels homesickness, and later escapes at Nabuli to find another ship to Lûndra. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xiii) Saïd arrives in England, feeling homesick and frightened by the industrial city, and is coerced into drinking alcohol at a tavern. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xiv) Wakes up disoriented and sick, discovers his money stolen, and wanders the city in despair. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xv) Delirious and unresponsive in a London hospital, haunted by visions of home and a mysterious army. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xvi) Regains partial awareness, struggles with identity, feels joy at returning to familiar surroundings, attacks the missionary, and runs through the city. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xvii) Recovered from sunstroke, lives as honored guest, spends days in peaceful contemplation, later joins riot and is killed. ### [Time Table to Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/time-table-to-part-ii) Departs Damascus in 1871 and meets his death in the Alexandria riot of 1882. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters/said_the_fisherman - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/characters