“The Story of Sinuhe” is about an Egyptian man named Sinuhe, who is the queen’s secretary. In ancient times, castration was required in order for men to enter the royal palace and to serve the royalty. At the end of the story, the story revealed that Sinuhe was not castrated because he has children. This showed that the king really trusted Sinuhe because all servants needed to be castrated except him. Throughout the story, the author stressed the idea that loyalty is essential because people were expected to be loyal to their own country and want to stay there until their death. Thus, nationalism plays a huge role in Egypt.
After facing many hardships, Sinuhe was forced to leave his home country, Egypt. Therefore, he lived a new life at another country for many years as an immigrant. However, he returned to Egypt after many years and this shows his loyalty to his home country. “The Story of Sinuhe” emphasized the theme national propaganda and revealed to the audience the lifestyles of modern immigrants. National propaganda is a main theme shown in the story of Sinuhe. The story of Sinuhe promoted the idea that every man and woman who were born in Egypt should love their country regardless of what troubles they may experience in it.
An emphasis was placed on the notion that people should feel an emotional connection to their country, one so strong that they’d gladly live the duration of their lives showing their loyalty to their country by being born, living and dying there. Sinuhe definitely demonstrated his pride to be an Egyptian, despite his dealing with adversity by running away to another country. Here, support of nationalism (beyond just association with the name and land itself) is illustrated once again. Eventually, Sinuhe returned to Egypt to die because Egypt is his homeland.
This is one of many special qualities that mattered to an Egyptian, which is coming back to their homeland to die. Most Egyptians built their own tombs and pyramids for the preparation of their death. For instance, Sinuhe described his own preparation when he returned back to Egypt. When Egyptians die, their bodies are carried to their own pyramid. Egyptians prepared for the “end” of life because they believed in life after death. In deciding to leave his new homeland and return to his home country, Sinuhe had to make a difficult decision: one that involves leaving behind people he has come to love, his own family.
This definitely emphasized national propaganda to the audiences because in reality who would really leave family behind. While one might argue that Sinuhe did not have absolute love for his country because he would have run away in the first place, his return after many years of a new life with new loved ones should be justification enough. A prevalent theme of this story is not only that people have love for their country, but also are emotionally connected to it and, in so being, can remain loyal throughout the span of their lives.
In addition, “The Story of Sinuhe” portrayed the life of an immigrant living in a foreign country. In the story, Sinuhe described his journey to Asia as an immigrant. Many immigrants left their homeland and traveled to other places, which were unfamiliar to them, because they wanted better lives for their family and for future generations. In certain situations, some were even forced to leave their homelands. Every immigrant has his or her own reasons for leaving their homeland. After all, no one would want to leave his or her own home country, where he or she had been living their entire life.
Sinuhe is an example of an immigrant who fled to another country due to his inability to overcome his fears. As an example, the author stated, “I heard his voice, as he spoke, while I was in the near distance. My heart fluttered, my arms spread out, a trembling befell all my limbs. I removed myself in leaps, to seek a hiding place” (224). Sinuhe feared losing his job after overhearing the news that the king is dead. Similar to all immigrants, fear is one of the main factors that contributes to people leaving their homelands. Sinuhe is afraid to stay in Egypt because of the new king and because of his strong vibe with the queen.
Facing such fears led to Sinuhe’s decision to flee and to live a new life at another country. Sinuhe described himself as one without identity. This can be seen when he said “Land gave me to land” (224). This quote is true because most immigrants do not have identities once they leave their own country. His long journey to Asia can be associated with other immigrants’ stories. Many immigrants must have endured hardships throughout their journeys, just like what Sinuhe had endured. Sinhue said “I set out at night. At dawn I reached Peten. I halted at Isle-of-Kem-Wer.
An attack of thirst overtook me; I was parched, my throat burned. I said, ‘This is the taste of death’” (224). This part of the story revealed that Sinuhe faced many hardships during his trip to Asia. He faced starvation and almost died. In comparison to other immigrants, starvation and death is one of many hardships they may face. When Sinuhe was in Asia, he married someone that he didn’t love and started a family because it was part of a deal with someone. One of the reasons he didn’t love his wife was that he already had someone else in mind, the queen.
This is other reason why Sinuhe ran away from Egypt. He was afraid people will know that the queen might share the same feeling. Most people mistreat and bully immigrants because they are not from their homeland. Sinuhe already made a rival when he arrived at that place. He stated, “It is envy, because he sees me doing your commissions. I am indeed like a stray bull in a strange herd” (227). The local was jealous that Sinuhe, an immigrant, was taking over his jobs. Sinuhe felt like a stranger and thought that he did not belong in that community.
