Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LXIII explained
Lawrence returns to Akaba to secure camels and resolve tensions among the Arab tribes at Rumm, then returns to find a mysterious old man at a waterfall who utters a phrase about love that challenges Lawrence's theories on Semitic religion a
What happens
Lawrence returns to Akaba to secure camels and resolve tensions among the Arab tribes at Rumm, then returns to find a mysterious old man at a waterfall who utters a phrase about love that challenges Lawrence's theories on Semitic religion and Christianity.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Lawrence confronts his own fraudulent self-i…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Culture and Otherness
Lawrence contrasts Semitic religious character with Christianity, reflecting on cultural and theological differences.
- Suffering and Endurance
The old man of Rumm, a lifelong wanderer moaning strange things, embodies endurance and affliction.
- Futility and Meaning
Lawrence's encounter with the old man and his reflection on love and God challenge his intellectual theories, hinting at the limits of understanding.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Narrator; reflects on Semitic character of Islam and Christianity after encounter with old man at waterfall; travels to Akaba to arrange camels and explosives.
- Emir Feisal
Lawrence reports to him in Akaba; provides baggage camels, camel-men, slaves, and Sherif Abdulla el Feir as mediator.
- Ibn Zaal
Arrives at Rumm and clashes with Gasim; Lawrence entrusts the two sergeants to his care.
- Gasim abu Dumeik
Dour and fierce; clashes with Zaal; his behavior causes other clans to defect to Lawrence's side.
- Sherif Abdulla el Feir
Sent by Feisal as mediator; smooths over tribal grievances at Rumm.
- Mohammed el Dheilan
Blows up the fire at the coffee-place while Lawrence tries to get the old man to speak.
Key passages
“The love is from God; and of God; and towards God.”
Love originates from God, belongs to God, and is directed toward God.
Spoken by the old man at the waterfall; prompts Lawrence's theological reflection.
“I had believed Semites unable to use love as a link between themselves and God, indeed, unable to conceive such a relation except with the intellectuality of Spinoza...”
Lawrence had thought Semitic peoples could not conceive of a loving relationship with God, only an intellectual one like Spinoza's.
Lawrence's preconception about Semitic religiosity is challenged by the old man's words.
