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Karim Abu Simbel
Baal is a subversive poet living in the city of Jahilia. He is known for his satirical and blasphemous poems that openly mock Mahound and his followers. His works challenge the power and legitimacy of Mahound’s message, making him a target for persecution. Eventually, Baal is captured and executed because of what he writes.
Baal Quotes in The Satanic Verses
The The Satanic Verses quotes below are all either spoken by Baal or refer to Baal. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 6
Quotes
Mahound had no time for scruples, Salman told Baal, no qualms about ends and means. The faithful lived by lawlessness, but in those years Mahound— or should one say the Archangel Gibreel? — should one say Al-Lah? —became obsessed by law. Amid the palm-trees of the oasis Gibreel appeared to the Prophet and found himself spouting rules, rules, rules, until the faithful could scarcely bear the prospect of any more revelation, Salman said, rules about every damn thing, if a man farts let him turn his face to the wind, a rule about which hand to use for the purpose of cleaning one’s behind. It was as if no aspect of human existence was to be left unregulated, free.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
‘In the old days you mocked the Recitation,’ Mahound said in the hush. ‘Then, too, these people enjoyed your mockery. Now you return to dishonour my house, and it seems that once again you succeed in bringing the worst out of the people.’
Baal said, ‘I’ve finished. Do what you want.’
So he was sentenced to be beheaded, within the hour, and as soldiers manhandled him out of the tent towards the killing ground, he shouted over his shoulder: ‘Whores and writers, Mahound. We are the people you can’t forgive.’
Mahound replied, ‘Writers and whores. I see no difference here.’
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Baal Quotes in The Satanic Verses
The The Satanic Verses quotes below are all either spoken by Baal or refer to Baal. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 6
Quotes
Mahound had no time for scruples, Salman told Baal, no qualms about ends and means. The faithful lived by lawlessness, but in those years Mahound— or should one say the Archangel Gibreel? — should one say Al-Lah? —became obsessed by law. Amid the palm-trees of the oasis Gibreel appeared to the Prophet and found himself spouting rules, rules, rules, until the faithful could scarcely bear the prospect of any more revelation, Salman said, rules about every damn thing, if a man farts let him turn his face to the wind, a rule about which hand to use for the purpose of cleaning one’s behind. It was as if no aspect of human existence was to be left unregulated, free.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
‘In the old days you mocked the Recitation,’ Mahound said in the hush. ‘Then, too, these people enjoyed your mockery. Now you return to dishonour my house, and it seems that once again you succeed in bringing the worst out of the people.’
Baal said, ‘I’ve finished. Do what you want.’
So he was sentenced to be beheaded, within the hour, and as soldiers manhandled him out of the tent towards the killing ground, he shouted over his shoulder: ‘Whores and writers, Mahound. We are the people you can’t forgive.’
Mahound replied, ‘Writers and whores. I see no difference here.’
