Tragic Hero

--What is Said’s tragic flaw? (Harmatia)
--Because of the rejection of his own daughter, Said’s personality is affected and changed dramatically which brings to his own disaster. His ambition of seeking revenge and the fact that he does not adapt to Egypt post-revolution society has brought him to similar cycle that he passed before his imprisonment. As in the text:

"I was sure of my safety, as usual. It was that dog who betrayed me, in collusion
with her. Then disaster followed disaster until finally my daughter rejected me."

--How does he display excessive pride? (hubris)
--It can be seen at the beginning of the story that he has too much confidence for what he plans (expectation from Sana to belief of orthodox view or pre-revolution Egypt of being a thief). He also does not recognize that post-revolution Egypt has a use of laws which he thinks that he is still able to violate for his own interest. He does display his pride though the use of excessive violence (and wrathful actions) which eventually drags him down. As in the text:

"To kill them both--Nabawiyya and Ilish--at the same time, would be a triumph. Even better would be to settle with Rauf Ilwan, too, then escape, go abroad if possible"
"Nabbawiyya. Ilish. Your two names merge in my mind. For years you will have been thinking about this day, never imagining, all the while, that the gates would ever actually open. You'll be watching now, but I won't fall into the trap. At the right moment, instead, I'll strike like Fate"

--When is his reversal of fortunes? (peripeteria)
--When he meets Nur who has passion for him. Nur provides accommodation and food for him which extends his time for committing his brutal deeds. She even helps him plans and steals car from her own friend when they just meet. In addition, Tarzan is another character that provides the needs that he requires such as revolver and a plan with smuggler. As in the text:

"Would you like me," she said with a sly smile, "to bury him in the sand?"
"I'll be ruined if they find out," she said with sudden seriousness. "His father's an influential man and he comes from a powerful family. Do you need money?"
"Tarzan, holding out to him a revolver in his other hand" (...) "It's a present from me."

--At what moments in the text does he recognize that the reversal was due to his own actions?
--When Nur leaves her apartment and Said, and never comes back to him. He has passion for her and realizes that she is perfect for him. But it’s too late. Also at the end of the story where he realizes that his revengefulness has brought him destruction. As in the text:

  "Said knew, all the malice and revengefulness he'd been running from would be breathed right into his face. He held his gun poised as the barking grew ever louder and closer. And suddenly there was blinding light over the whole area. He shut his eyes and crouched at the base of the tomb."

--Is his fate greater than he deserved? (nemesis)
--I believe no because he is the one who does bad deeds which brings to his own destruction. He always seeks for revenge his companions rather than trying to adapt and understand reasons behind their actions. He deserves his death since he has already killed two innocent people for the sake of his revenge. Therefore, his fate is reasonable enough to accept.