reading-lawrence

[reading-lawrence]

The staff knew so much more of war than I did that they refused to learn from me of the strange conditions in which Arab irregulars had to act; and I could not be bothered to set up a kindergarten of the imagination for their benefit.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter 82

Lawrence is, at this point, constantly complaining that the British office won't accommodate the strategic difference between revolutionary irregulars and an army for trench warfare. It would be interesting to play out an alternative-history battle simulator where Lawrence's ideas about isolating cities, rather than capturing them, were allowed to play out. Was he correct, or just untested?

[reading-lawrence]

...the cars came steaming and hissing along it, dangerously fast to avoid getting stuck, rocking over hummocks in a style which looked fatal for springs. However, we knew it was nearly impossible to break a Rolls-Royce, and so were sorrier for the drivers, Thomas, Rolls and Sanderson.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter 82

Next up in your war memoir: an ad for a luxury car brand! Buy a Rolls-Royce today, they're the favorite of the British Army!

[reading-lawrence]

Step by step I was yielding myself to a slow ache which conspired with my abating fever and the numb monotony of riding to close up the gate of my senses. I seemed at last approaching the insensibility which had always been beyond my reach: but a delectable land: for one born so slug-tissued that nothing this side fainting would let his spirit free. Now I found myself dividing into parts. There was one which went on riding wisely, sparing or helping every pace of the wearied camel. Another hovering above and to the right bent down curiously, and asked what the flesh was doing. The flesh gave no answer, for, indeed, it was conscious only of a ruling impulse to keep on and on; but a third garrulous one talked and wondered, critical of the body's self-inflicted labour, and contemptuous of the reason for effort.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, chapter 81

I always feel like there must be a better method of riding fast than double-dog-daring each other to admit fatigue first. Lawrence is finally starting to hit some limits post-torture at Deraa. On this particular ride - from Azrak to Akaba - it really seems like sleeping could have saved time. They end up wandering off course for no good reason and having to take a long detour.

[reading-lawrence]

While I was still with him, word came from Chetwode that Jerusalem had fallen; and Allenby made ready to enter in the official manner which the catholic imagination of Mark Sykes had devised. He was good enough, although I had done nothing for the success, to let Clayton take me along as his staff officer for the day. The personal Staff tricked me out in their spare clothes till I looked like a major in the British Army. Dalmeny lent me red tabs, Evans his brass hat; so that I had the gauds of my appointment in the ceremony of the Jaffa gate, which for me was the supreme moment of the war.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, chapter 81

Interesting to note that the most exciting moment of the war for Lawrence is purportedly when he gets to dress all fancy like a British officer.

[reading-lawrence]

I am also now morbidly curious to know how much of this was cut from Revolt in the Arab Desert. Ready to go through that book with a pen to highlight every part which was changed to be 1) less gay, or 2) nicer to the English.

Ali gave me half his wardrobe: shirts, head-cloths, belts, tunics. I gave him an equivalent half of mine, and we kissed like David and Jonathan, each wearing the other's clothes. Afterwards, with Rahail only, on my two best camels, I struck away southward.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, chapter 81

Just when I think this book can't get more gay. Shoutout to my Christianity tap-in @lesbiansunsetshimmer for knowing what to look up so I can figure out what's going on here.

Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war.

New American Standard Bible, Samuel 18:1-5

I find it extremely unsurprising that Lawrence is identifying with this passage - whether or not you read the relationship, as Wikipedia hilariously puts it, as "...[having] elements of eroticism in the story." Of course Lawrence finds himself in a story of fast friends swearing to fight for each other, very literally exchanging clothes as a symbol of his changed allegiance, and riding to war together. I really want to find Ali's side of this story. Is he putting as much meaning on this relationship?

[reading-lawrence]

Ali gave me half his wardrobe: shirts, head-cloths, belts, tunics. I gave him an equivalent half of mine, and we kissed like David and Jonathan, each wearing the other's clothes. Afterwards, with Rahail only, on my two best camels, I struck away southward.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, chapter 81

Just when I think this book can't get more gay. Shoutout to my Christianity tap-in @lesbiansunsetshimmer for knowing what to look up so I can figure out what's going on here.

Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war.

New American Standard Bible, Samuel 18:1-5

I find it extremely unsurprising that Lawrence is identifying with this passage - whether or not you read the relationship, as Wikipedia hilariously puts it, as "...[having] elements of eroticism in the story." Of course Lawrence finds himself in a story of fast friends swearing to fight for each other, very literally exchanging clothes as a symbol of his changed allegiance, and riding to war together. I really want to find Ali's side of this story. Is he putting as much meaning on this relationship?

[reading-lawrence]

Hiya, I wonder if you're familiar with the different versions of the text and which edition of the book contains which text. Can I DM you about it?

Hello! Feel free to DM, they're open for a reason. I would love to chat! Though I can't promise when I'll be online.

As for versions of the text, I'm not very familiar but I'll list what I know.

Approximately earliest to latest:

The Oxford edition. There are only eight original prints of this, all in archives or private collections. It is the longest and was not copyedited. I am not aware of anywhere to read this version, but you might find scans in a university database or Internet archive. This version was sent to Lawrence's friends for feedback.

The Subscriber's edition. Originally published with image plates in the early 1920s, edited but still long. I *think* but am not positive that it is approximately this version (plus or minus some copyediting) which is usually published today under the title Seven Pillars of Wisdom: a triumph.

Revolt in the Arab Desert: edited down even further, with specific focuses on the war itself and what would be more marketable. Parts that were less flattering to Britain or to specific public figures were likewise removed. Still available under this title, but I wouldn't read this one first.

Various subsequent editions after Lawrence's death, which i think are mostly repackaged variations of #2 with forwards from friends or scholars.

I do currently have access to several versions via a university library, so I can look up specific questions if anyone is curious.

[reading-lawrence]

We were making our last preparations when an unexpected ally arrived in Emir Abd el Kader el Jezairi, grandson of the chivalrous defender of Algiers against the French.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter 70

Lawrence really hates the French and French politics. He brings up why he thinks France sucks at pretty much any opportunity.

[reading-lawrence]

No spies could count us, either, since even ourselves had not the smallest idea of our strength at any given moment.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter 68

[reading-lawrence]

They would listen to no word but mine, and brought me their troubles for judgement. In the six days' raid there came to a head, and were settled, twelve cases of assault with weapons, four camel-liftings, one marriage, two thefts, a divorce, fourteen feuds, two evil eyes, and a bewitchment.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom,Chapter 68

Lmao. Lawrence really has to work differently from any other British officer. Based on everything else I've read about his temperament, I cannot imagine that litigating curses and feuds was fun for him.

[reading-lawrence]

Lawrence: "Damn, this guy I'm responsible for got sick from the rotting camel water. Englishmen are so weak."

An obvious-in-hindsight tidbit of the story so far has been the infinite variations of water Lawrence finds. They never find just a well, he almost always takes a moment to describe the quality. Water can be sweet, clear, brackish, green, it can give them diarrhea but be worth it to drink, abundant, choked off, good enough for camels but not men, even fine to drink but bad for cooking bread.

We never really have to think about water when it comes out of the tap; water is just water. It doesn't have a taste, we say: it's the most neutral possible drink. That's not true when your water has to come out of varied wells and pools and remnants of flood-water; every drink is different.

[reading-lawrence]

Both were admirable men. In a month, without common language or interpreter, they got on terms with their classes and taught them their weapons with reasonable precision. More was not required: for an empirical habit appeared to agree with the spirit of our haphazard raids better than complete scientific knowledge.

🤨

[reading-lawrence]

Both sorts took the same direction in example, one vociferously, the other by implication. Each assumed the Englishman a chosen being, inimitable, and the copying him blasphemous or impertinent. In this conceit they urged on people the next best thing. God had not given it them to be English; a duty remained to be good of their type. Consequently we admired native custom; studied the language; wrote books about its architecture, folklore, and dying industries. Then one day, we woke up to find this chthonic spirit turned political, and shook our heads with sorrow over its ungrateful nationalism—truly the fine flower of our innocent efforts.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter 61

Interesting little segment when two English weapons experts join Lawrence for a spell. He uses them to demonstrate a broad theory that Englishmen (really, the principle is probably broader) react to traveling abroad by either mimicking to fit in or retreating into being as stereotypically English as possible. The conclusion is the above passage: that whichever choice is made, the underlying belief is that it is impossible for foreigners to become English.

[reading-lawrence]

In chapter 63 we add Red to the list of water adjectives. Also, they find a well filled with rotting meat by Ottoman sabotage and they still have to drink it. Oof.

An obvious-in-hindsight tidbit of the story so far has been the infinite variations of water Lawrence finds. They never find just a well, he almost always takes a moment to describe the quality. Water can be sweet, clear, brackish, green, it can give them diarrhea but be worth it to drink, abundant, choked off, good enough for camels but not men, even fine to drink but bad for cooking bread.

We never really have to think about water when it comes out of the tap; water is just water. It doesn't have a taste, we say: it's the most neutral possible drink. That's not true when your water has to come out of varied wells and pools and remnants of flood-water; every drink is different.

[reading-lawrence]

Add Feisal to the list of people shocked by Lawrence turning up in the middle of the night with no warning!

I went below, bathed, and slept till mid-morning. When I came on deck the ship was rushing grandly down the narrow gulf under full steam for Egypt. My appearance caused a sensation, for they had not dreamed I could reach Guweira, assure myself, and get back in less than six or seven days, to catch a later steamer.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter 57

Hilarious. Lawrence keeps doing this thing to the British where he suddenly appears out of the desert with no indication of how he got there. Surely that's too fast for a person to travel! But he has a good camel and is willing to ride all night, so that mistake is on the British.

This one is especially funny, because he canoes out to a warship in the middle of the night and apparently told no one until they were underway.

[reading-lawrence]

(Here's a link, if anyone wants to read the full context of this passage. Chapter LXI.)

Calling historians of tumblr: does anyone have a good idea of what T. E. Lawrence means by this passage?

My followers, Mohammed and Ahmed, with Rashid and Assaf, the probationers, gave Rahail much licence of behaviour; partly because of his animal attractiveness, and of his tendency to advertise his person. He had to be checked once or twice for taking liberties with the sergeants.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter 61

In specific, what are common interpretations of the phrase "taking liberties" around WWI?

The context is Lawrence describing the small group of Arab followers he's attracting. The group starts with two servants, Daud and Farraj, whom he explicitly describes as being "love-fellows." Around and after Aqaba, Lawrence starts mentioning the group of hard-riding young men following him specifically, as opposed to Auda or Nasir. Reading the connotations, Lawrence is attracting a group of young gay men following him around because he's known to be friendly to them. But, connotations change, and I know "take liberties" can mean more generally being too friendly, too mischievous, or not respecting rank. Would the most normal interpretation here be that Rahail is propositioning the Englishmen?

Mostly, I'm curious because I think it's hilarious that Lawrence appears to be assembling a gay warband to explode trains with him and I want to know that I'm not reading a modern perspective into normal phrasing.

[reading-lawrence]

Islam, too, had inevitably changed from continent to continent. It had avoided metaphysics, except in the introspective mysticism of Iranian devotees...

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter 63

Hilariously incorrect statements from T. E. Lawrence, if I know anything.