Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Question
How does Seven Pillars of Wisdom develop the theme of Identity and Betrayal?
Answer
Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence develops Identity and Betrayal across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Lawrence grapples with his own divided loyalties, his role as a British officer deceiving the Arabs about broken promises (Sykes-Picot), and the manufactured nature of Arab national identity, leading to profound personal guilt and a sense of fraud.
Lawrence grapples with his loss of English self and inability to fully adopt Arab identity, feeling like a hollow imitation.
Arabs clung to their language as a 'fatherland' while Turkish rule suppressed their racial and political identity; the Young Turks' initial promises of brotherhood were betrayed.
Feisal's dual role as a Turkish officer and Arab nationalist leader, and the betrayal of his Syrian friends who are hanged by Jemal.
Evidence in the book
- I
Lawrence grapples with his loss of English self and inability to fully adopt Arab identity, feeling like a hollow imitation.
- IV
Arabs clung to their language as a 'fatherland' while Turkish rule suppressed their racial and political identity; the Young Turks' initial promises of brotherhood were betrayed.
- V
Feisal's dual role as a Turkish officer and Arab nationalist leader, and the betrayal of his Syrian friends who are hanged by Jemal.
- VI
The 'Intrusive' group's mission to build a new people in the East is contrasted with the betrayal of Arab hopes by British policy, exemplified by the broken negotiations with Aziz el Masri.
- XIV
Debate over Arab leaders executed for treason; tension between loyalty to nation and foreign alliances.
- XX
Lawrence adopts Arab dress to blend in, and the Juheina's apparent defection raises questions of loyalty.
- LXXX
The assault shatters Lawrence's sense of self and integrity, leading to a profound identity crisis and a feeling of betrayal by his own body and will.
- LXXXI
Abd el Kader's betrayal and Lawrence's own sense of alienation as an 'alien' advocating for national liberty highlight themes of divided loyalties and selfhood.
