As seen in the first chapter, animal imagery is often used and it is seen in chapter two as well. “It was that dog who betrayed me” (p168), here Said refers to Ilish as “that dog who betrayed me.” Also throughout this novel, we can assume that animal imagery will always be used in negative ways because in the title, the dogs are related to the thief therefore making the dogs antagonistic.
In this chapter there are two new symbols and they are the Sheikh’s house and the Koran. The Sheikh’s house is seen a symbol for peace and for escape from reality. “In this strange house no door was ever closed – to a single room. (p162) Seeing that the doors are never closed, this means that anyone is welcome to enter the Sheikh’s house at anytime which shows the Sheikh’s hospitality. Also Said goes to the house because “[his] father used to seek [the Sheikh] when he was in trouble, so [Said] found [himself]…” (p166). He goes there to escape from the reality where he has no home, no money, and because his daughter rejected him. The Koran is a book of Islam much like the bible in Christianity. The Koran symbolizes the answer to the problems that people have. The Sheikh suggests that Said should “take a copy of the Koran and read” (p167) while Said is confused and doesn’t know what to do.
Tags: dogs, imagery, Koran, Sheikh's house
