# Fate and Luck in Saïd the Fisherman

> Theme guide for Saïd the Fisherman by Marmaduke Pickthall.

The book is structured around 'The Book of His Luck' and 'The Book of His Fate,' exploring how chance events and divine will shape Saïd's life, often in ironic ways.

## Where it surfaces

- [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): The chapter title 'The Book of His Luck' directly introduces the theme of fate and luck as central to the narrative.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/i): Saïd's fortune changes in an instant when the horsemen scatter his money, and his subsequent search yields only a fraction, showing the role of chance in his life.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/ii): Saïd's misfortune is attributed to an evil spirit, and his hope is revived by a small act of kindness, showing the role of fate and luck in his life.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/iii): Saïd's fortune turns as he recovers his lost coins, but his fate is sealed by Abdullah's warning, forcing him to flee.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xiv): Saïd's misfortune and the sudden appearance of a potential benefactor (Ismaìl Abbâs) reflect the role of fate and chance in his life.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/viii): Saïd's sudden ruin, losing his wealth, wife, and son in one night, underscores the capriciousness of fate.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/ix): Saïd's misfortune is seen as a turn of fate, with his efforts to recover his wealth proving futile, and his salvation coming from an unexpected encounter with Ismaìl Abbâs.
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xi): Saïd's narrow escape from the soldiers and his successful swim to the steamer hinge on luck and divine providence.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xii): Saïd's fortune in finding a new ship and his distrust of the one-eyed captain reflect the role of chance and suspicion in his journey.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xiv): Saïd's misfortune of losing his money and his subsequent wandering reflect a sense of being at the mercy of fate.
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/xv): The mysterious, silent army in Saïd's visions suggests an inexorable force controlling his destiny, and his fate is now in the hands of others.
- [Time Table to Part II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/time-table-to-part-ii): Saïd's death in the riot is presented as a fateful outcome of his journey, underscoring the role of chance in his life.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/themes/fate_and_luck
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/themes