Seven Pillars of Wisdom
T. E. Lawrence
Contains spoilers for the entire book.
Discussion topics
Topic 01 of 08
To S.A.
What does the dedicatory poem "To S.A." tell you about the hopes and losses behind the book?
Keep the conversation going
- How does it frame Lawrence's account of the revolt?
- Why do you think he kept the identity of S.A. a mystery?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.
Discussion topics
What does the dedicatory poem "To S.A." tell you about the hopes and losses behind the book?
Keep the conversation going
- How does it frame Lawrence's account of the revolt?
- Why do you think he kept the identity of S.A. a mystery?
Why does Lawrence decide that Feisal is the leader the revolt needs?
Keep the conversation going
- How does Lawrence present himself in relation to Feisal and the other Arab leaders?
- How much did you trust his account of his own role?
What does Lawrence gain and lose by dressing and living as an Arab?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does he say that the effort to live in the clothes of two cultures left him belonging to neither?
- How does he describe the people he fought beside?
What made the march on Akaba from the desert, rather than the sea, so daring?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of Auda abu Tayi?
- How does the taking of Akaba change Lawrence's standing?
How does Lawrence describe the war of raids on the Hejaz railway, and why does he think it suits the Arabs?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of his theory of guerrilla war, an influence on others ever since?
- Where does the excitement of these raids give way to horror?
How did you respond to Lawrence's account of his capture and abuse at Deraa?
Keep the conversation going
- Why do you think he included it at all?
- How does it change the man we see afterwards?
Why is Lawrence tormented by knowing that Britain and France might not keep the promises made to the Arabs?
Keep the conversation going
- How does that guilt colour his account of the fighting?
- Did you see him as a hero, a victim or something more complicated?
What does the arrival in Damascus, and the hospital full of the dead and dying, leave you thinking about the revolt?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does Lawrence leave so soon after the victory?
- What does the book say about war and about the person who writes about it?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.