Sheikh Al-Junaydi

In The Thief and the Dogs, it is difficult for the reader to formulate opinion about the unique characters in the novel, due to the fact of how Mahfouz uses the stream of consciousness technique; thus giving somewhat of a bias view on those said characters. With that in mind, most of the characters that are portrayed through Said’s eyes are viewed as negatively. Thus for most of the novel, making us view them in the same way that Said does. For instance: Ilish and Nabawiyya are viewed in a negative light by the audience, because the only insight they receive on these characters are what Said believes, making it hard for the reader to create their own judgements about the characters. Therefore in this case; those two characters are viewed as negatively due to the fact they betrayed the protagonist.

Although it was mentioned that most of the characters in the play are viewed as badly, there are a few that Said actually likes; Sana, Nur, and Sheikh Al Junaydi. Said seeks guidance and comfort from the Sheikh, due to the fact that the Shiekh is his late father’s spiritual advisor. However the part that ties in to why this character is crucial for the advancement of the plot is that the Shiekh is a Sufi Muslim. Suffism, a sect of Islam that combines more of a mystical approach to God, from a point of view of peaceful reflection. Sufi principles contain the main facet of dedication to worship of God, and have a disregard for material possessions, rather make prevalent what is more important in life. That being said you can see these kind of characteristics throughout the novel, where the Shiekh is compassionate in his speaking whilst being heavily influenced by God. This can be seen through Said’s first encounter with him after stepping out of prison, “peace and God’s compassion be upon you,”, “You seek a roof, not an answer,”. The reason this is important for the plot is because the Shiekh was one of the closest characters that could have had an influence on the outcome of the story. Considering that if Said found refuge in homage from himself through the Sheikh’s guidance and wisdom, then the story might not have ended in such tragic consequences.

Through the indirect characterization of Said that was made by the Sheikh, the reader begins to question whether Said has somewhat of a moral agenda or if he is actually just seeking revenge. If Said did change his ways and found some sort of redemption for his actions in the house of the Shiekh, after the accidental killing of the man outside Illish’s old apartment, then the reader would have been able to identify that there may be some good left in Said, rather than completely alter their views based on his negatively driven actions. If Said had listened, and not been so blind, to the people that were trying and willing to help him through his struggles, then Said would not have had the downfall that he did nearing the end of the play.