The Ancestors and Successors Hexagon - Part III: Jacob and His Sons

Part III: Jacob and His Sons
“Kingdoms are Man-made. The human hand is cursed with an unknown flaw that we cannot fully comprehend. I do not wish to preach and claim it is the sin of Adam. But what I do know is that everything created by Man bears his mark. His fingerprint inevitably reveals itself. For all things made by Man are cloaked in a false veneer that betrays their true nature. Thus, decay can reach even the finest fruits, yet they do not fall! Nations have endured countless forms of injustice throughout their long histories, and still, injustice persists—even at its peak. If you ask me what I believe, it is this: Sin, which has always been the lifeblood of kingdoms, has grown more resistant to Time.”

In Jacob and His Sons, Al-Koni continues the story of the Al-Qaramanli family, focusing on the reign of Ali Basha Al-Qaramanli, the eldest grandson of Ahmed Al- Qaramanli. Ali Basha, a figurehead ruler lost in indulgence and debauchery, symbolizes the weakening of the family’s once-great legacy. Al-Koni emphasizes the signs of fragmentation and decay within Al-Qaramanli family, leading to power struggles between the heirs to the throne. “The legacy forged by the heroic deeds of ancestors must one day be weakened by their successors. For just as there is a sunrise, there is a sunset.” Power, in the hands of Man, often transforms him into a monster that destroys anything—or anyone—that stands in his way.

In this part of the hexagon, Al-Koni’s narrative is shaped by a triangle of Power, Women, and Wealth. He illustrates how women influence political life, fueling power struggles and playing pivotal roles in conspiracies and plots. “For someone who desires power, the love of money is foolish, and so is the love of women. For with the love of power, one can attain both women and wealth.”

Al-Koni also blends biblical stories from the Torah with desert myths, creating a rich interweaving of narrative and symbolism. This integration is reflected not only in the storytelling but also in the names of the characters, which carry symbolic weight and link the themes of the novel to both religious and mythical traditions.