This Man Engineer Seif Tahir
He returned from overseas on the day the
president of Libya was celebrating his 20th year in power. Opponents were
asking Engineer Tahir to tell them if this celebration meant the president
would finally step down. Engineer Tahir dismissed them as crackpots to be left
alone and ignored. Tahir was a staunch supporter of the president and believed
the Libyan president had the right vision for Libya and was the right person to
rule the country.
He defends the president by highlighting
some of his accomplishments such as closing down all the foreign military bases
in Libya and nationalizing all foreign businesses to make Libya recapture its
lost prestige. This makes Tahir feel the president had guts of steel.
Also, Engineer Tahir notes Libya has made a
recent discovery of petroleum resources and the leader had launched a nuclear
program called the ‘Fist of Allah’ to develop nuclear bombs not only meant to
defeat offense but also to deter it.
Engineer Tahir joined the Fist of Allah
right after his return from France and used the skills he had acquired to build
real weapons for Libya, fulfilling his childhood dreams. The Libyan leader
loved the Fist of Allah and supported it fully by allocating all the money the
program needed. To Engineer Tahir, Libya was reclaiming its lost glory.
However, matters took an unexpected turn
when Al Qaeda struck on American soil. The Libyan president knew America would
soon retaliate and not necessarily within the bounds of reason. He scrambled
his bases to shield Libya from American wrath and went ahead to dismantle the
Fist of Allah itself, which Engineer Tahir felt was an act of betrayal. Tahir
became angry beyond words for the Libyan leader’s actions and now hated the
leader with a passion, seeing the man he once adored as a villain rather than a
hero.
Analysis
Stylistic
Devices
Through flashback, we learn about Engineer
Tahir’s prior life and the events that led to his disillusionment with the
Libyan president. The author uses rhetorical questions to engage the reader in
Tahir's internal conflict and to illustrate the skepticism he faced: “where
would he apply the skills he will acquire?”
Personification is used to emphasize the
gravity of the situation: “He scrambled his bases to shield Libya from
American wrath.” Here, “wrath” is given human-like qualities, intensifying
the urgency and fear of retaliation.
Metaphor is evident in the phrase “Fist of
Allah,” which symbolizes the power and might of Libya’s nuclear program,
intended to act as both a shield and a weapon.
Character
and Characterization
Engineer Tahir is portrayed as loyal and
patriotic, initially seeing the Libyan president as a visionary leader who
could restore Libya's glory. His dedication is evident in his enthusiastic
participation in the Fist of Allah project, using his skills for what he
believes is the greater good of his country.
Tahir’s transformation from loyal supporter
to embittered critic shows his deep sense of betrayal when the president
dismantles the nuclear program. His intense emotions highlight his passionate
nature and strong convictions.
The Libyan president is initially depicted
as a strong leader with the guts of steel, taking bold actions to reclaim
Libya's prestige. However, his actions following the Al Qaeda attack reveal a
more pragmatic and perhaps cowardly side, leading to a loss of faith from his
supporters like Tahir.
Thematic
Concerns
The primary theme is betrayal. Tahir’s
disillusionment stems from what he perceives as the president’s betrayal of
Libya’s progress and security. The dismantling of the Fist of Allah symbolizes
the destruction of national pride and personal dreams.
Patriotism is another theme, as Tahir's
actions and beliefs are driven by a deep love for his country. His anger
towards the president is a result of feeling that his patriotic efforts were in
vain.
The theme of leadership is explored through
the contrasting views of the Libyan president as both a hero and a villain. His
decisions impact not only the nation's direction but also the personal lives
and beliefs of his supporters.
Role of
Characters in the Episode
Engineer Tahir’s role is to illustrate the
devastating impact of perceived betrayal by a trusted leader. His journey from
loyal supporter to vehement critic underscores the themes of loyalty, betrayal,
and disillusionment.
The Libyan president’s actions serve to
highlight the complexities of leadership and the difficult decisions that can
alienate even the most ardent supporters. His transformation in the eyes of
Tahir from a visionary to a cowardly leader underscores the delicate balance
leaders must maintain to retain their followers' trust.
The Unrequited Love
In this episode, we learn that the
dismantling of the ‘Fist of Allah’ happened at a time when Engineer Tahir fell
in love with Rahmah Mahmoud, a female junior colleague, whom he wrongly assumed
had rejected his outing suggestion by saying no. Engineer Tahir's difference in
rank, which should have given him an advantage, instead hurt his feelings
deeply as he faced rejection from a junior colleague.
Analysis
Stylistic
Devices
The use of flashback is evident as the
episode revisits the period when Engineer Tahir faced both professional and
personal turmoil. The juxtaposition of his professional setback with his
personal rejection amplifies the emotional impact on Tahir.
Vivid description of Rahmah is used to
highlight her beauty: "She was beautiful enough: big smile, big eyes, big
everything really, and very kind… Mahmoud?" This device underscores beauty
of Rahmah.
There is also the use of local dialect,
words like ‘ Sabah kher’ This device breaks the monotony of narration
therefore making the plot interesting and at the same time it give the setting
of the story by adding the local flavor.
There is use of smile, ‘Shining like light
bulbs.’, Symbolism whereby we learn that Rahmah means very Kind
Personification is employed to describe the
dismantling of the ‘Fist of Allah,’ portraying it as a betrayal that struck
Tahir at a vulnerable moment, almost as if the program itself had emotions and
could feel the weight of the timing.
Character
and Characterization
Engineer Tahir is portrayed as sensitive
and proud, with his self-esteem taking a hit from both the professional and
personal fronts. His assumption about Rahmah’s rejection reveals his
vulnerability and his struggle with self-worth.
Rahmah Mahmoud, though only briefly
mentioned, is pivotal in highlighting Tahir's emotional state. Her perceived
rejection serves as a catalyst for his growing resentment and bitterness.
Thematic
Concerns
The theme of rejection is central to this
episode, affecting both Tahir's professional ambitions and personal life. His
experience underscores the pain and confusion that come with feeling
undervalued and dismissed.
Another theme is vulnerability. Tahir's
reaction to Rahmah's rejection and the dismantling of the ‘Fist of Allah’
reveals how vulnerable he feels despite his professional accomplishments. His
high rank does not shield him from personal pain.
Role of
Characters in the Episode
Engineer Tahir’s role is to demonstrate the
profound impact of personal and professional rejection on an individual's
psyche. His experiences underscore the interconnectedness of professional
success and personal fulfillment.
Rahmah Mahmoud’s role, although indirect,
is significant in triggering Tahir's emotional journey. Her perceived rejection
serves to deepen his sense of betrayal and loss.
To sum
up, this episode highlights the dual nature of
rejection, illustrating how personal and professional setbacks can intertwine
to create a profound sense of vulnerability and bitterness. Engineer Tahir's
experiences serve as a poignant reminder of the complex emotions that accompany
feelings of rejection and the deep impact; they can have on one's life.
An Eye for An Eye
The episode continues to highlight through flashback
the aftermath of Engineer Tahir rejection and the events that sets into motion.
The author informs us that the Engineer Tahir misinterpreted Ramah’s rejection
since her intention was to conceal her eagerness to accept Tahir offer to take
her out.
Ramah was acting just like a proper Libyan
woman feeling she had to do it right. To Engineer Tahir this rejection hurt his
feeling, he felt humiliated by a junior colleague hurting his ego as a man and
therefore he resorted to revenge by vowing to retaliate and the next day after
the rejection, an opportunity presented itself when he found Ramah had removed
her veil (which was impending her in her laboratory work) and goes ahead to
slap her for allegedly violating the Libyan culture but the truth was he was
taking his revenge.
This also coincided with the Heritage week
a period that the leader of Libya had set aside to give his people time to
celebrate their renowned history.
In a reflex reaction, Ramah struck back
with a letter opener which unluckily landed and slit Engineer Tahir’s left eye.
A month later after this incident, Tahir comes out of hospital after losing his
left eye and still bitter and vengeful takes Ramah to court where the Hammurabi
verdict is administered – an eye for any eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Ramah’s pleadings for innocence, citing insanity
caused by extreme provocation falls on a deaf ear. She also loses her left eye
through a surgery as the Hammurabi law dictates.
We learn that vengeance, however does not
buy engineer Tahir peace and satisfaction. He is cited as a fanatic due to his
redoubled effort to punish Ramah and in the process, he ends up forgetting his
aim which was to make Libya his beloved country regain the glory it once
enjoyed. Disappointed by the Libyan leader for dropping an axe on the fist of Allah,
Engineer Tahir’s dream of resurgent Libya is now punctured and exploded beyond control.
He gets emotional by shouting, screaming and eventually he calms down but worse
he sinks into deep gloom and refused to shake it off. Attempts by his friends
to talk him out if it did not bore any fruits as he waves them away and when they,
Engineer Tahir leaves Tripoli and relocates to live alone in Benghazi.
Analysis
Stylistic Devices
The episode opens up with authorial
intrusion which is a literary device whereby the author gives the reader
his/her point of view on the events as they are unfolding in the story. The
author in this case states that Engineer Tahir misinterpreted Ramah’s rejection
of his offer and through a rhetorical question we are able to have a clear
understanding of what was going on in the mind of both Engineer Tahir after the
rejection and that of Ramah on why she had said to no. ‘In the heat of passion,
when no one reasons clearly, who has not at one time or another misinterpreted
a kind word from a friend?...she left blank for him to fill in.’ pg 120-121.
There is also use of situational irony that
during the heritage week all Libyan were supposed to celebrate their renowned
history yet Ramah decides to do the opposite by removing her veil (violation of
Libyan culture) which was impeding her which is actually the opposite of what
is expected notably during the ‘Heritage Week’
There is also an instance of biblical allusion
when the author refers to the good book verse about turning the other cheek. ‘Turning
another cheek would have been better response?’ pg122. The court and the eye
are personified. ‘He left… was gone.’ Pg132. ‘The court was not moved.’ Pg122.
Lastly there is use of wise saying,
‘fanatics are people…aim.’ Pg123, idiomatic expression, ‘dropped an axe on it.’
Pg123.
Thematic Concerns
The dominant subject in this episode is
culture or tradition. The conflict between Engineer Tahir and Ramah is caused
by Ramah not respecting the Libyan culture. ‘To stop her from imitating
American … culture.’ Pg 122.
Characterization
Engineer Tahir is portrayed as violent.
‘Engineer Tahir misinterpreted a sweet no as a sour no and reacted to it
violently.’ Pg121. He is also emotional. ‘… he stormed back to his office in a
fit of rage.’ Pg 121. He also comes out as vengeful. ‘…he vowed to retaliate.’ pg.
121.He is unreasonable or irrational. ‘Slaps Ramah and think it reasonable.’ Pg
121. He is restless. ‘Did vehemence buy engineer Tahir peace? …He was restless now…before.’ Pg122.
Ramah on the other hand is portrayed as
coy. ‘By burying her response under layers of coyness…meant yes.’ Pg 121. She
also comes out as irrational, ‘Had she stopped to think of the chain of events
her reaction might set off, she would have restrained herself.’ Lastly, she
comes out as defiant, ‘Then why, wondered the court, had she hit back? To defy
not him but Libya, he replied.’ Pg122.
Role of Character in the Episode
Engineer Tahir and Ramah builds the theme
of culture or tradition, which demonstrates human inability to act
irrationally.
The Effect of ‘Accident.'
The episode highlights the effect of the
accidents on engineer Tahir. We learn that he suffered gloom because of the
object lifeless foreign import in the eye and effect a removable convex shell
of glass cupping over the implant snugly like a contact lens.
Although the finished product matched well
with a good eye and had the hole in his face quite well. Engineer Tahir hated
it because it reminded him of the hole it had hidden and a permanent freak of
nature that he had become. He loathed himself and air of sorrow always lingered
on like an unwanted guest who might or might not leave.
Analysis
In this episode we learn the two reasons
for Tahir’s gloom. One was an object, foreign and life which he got after
losing an eye in what he took to call ‘the accident’. The second reason was an
‘effect’, deep and weakening. This he got when he decided to have an artisans
replacement for an eye for an eye.
The episode is narrated via flashback,
there is also use of figures of speech a smile to be specific, ‘snugly like a
contact lens.’ Pg 124.The author also employs use of rhetoric questions. ‘Did
it not remind him… himself.’ Pg 124.
The episode highlights lessons that there
is no satisfaction in seeking revenge.
Tahir was able to get his pound of flesh(revenge) but in the end he
still felt empty and even hates himself.
Engineer Tahir Enlist to AGDA
While at Benghazi, Engineer Tahir ran into
a green-eyed stranger at street-side cafe. The two got talking about the
history of Libya, one such history was about how Libya was inhabited by
Phoenicia.
Engineer Tahir goes ahead to claim he is a Berbers
the indigenous Libyan people. The Engineer Tahir and Mr. Ted Longway had the
conversation over a cup of coffee then where Mr. Ted describes his mission that
had brought him to Benghazi and we learn that Engineer Tahir decides to enlist
to AGDA on the spot.
Analysis
The episode continues to narrate through
the flashback events before Engineer Tahir joined AGDA. There is use of vivid
description when a description of the stranger Engineer Tahir was talking to is
provided.’ Engineer Tahir ran into a green-eyed stranger are a street-side
café.’ Pg124.
Historical allusion is another style employed,
‘The first strangers to arrive in Libya came from Phoenicia.’ Pg 124. The
author also makes use of onomatopoeic word, ‘slurp.’ Pg 125 and overall there
is use of dialogue when we encounter a conversation between Engineer Tahir and
Tad Longway.
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