The Thief & the Dogs: CH 3, 4 & 5

Chapter 3 of Mahfouz's novel begins with said rummaging through the newspaper, Al-Zahra. It turns out he's familiar with one of the writers. Said has found that the columns are not as meaningful, now they're full of miscellaneous materialistic subjects. He refers to Rauf Ilwan's former, more significant literature about freedom and other demands.
The protagonist still remains in his vindictive tone throughout.
He realizes that Rauf, too, may have changed a lot due to his successes. He shows up at Rauf's home because he was sure it'd be uncomfortable to reunite with him at the workplace.
The tone gets nostalgic as he recalls that Rauf Ilwan was his mentor, and now... quite possibly the only human being that can aid him with a job.
On pg 37, he refers to Ilish as "that dog!' Which gives the readers insight on the title, huh? :)
Foreshadowing? : Said keeps eyeing the pieces of art in his former mentors home.
There seems to be a slight hint of envy when the narrator describes Rauf as "blue-blooded", but the readers don't have enough info to judge yet, do they?
The two of them toast to the main characters new freedom. And as the conversation continues it seems to me that the rich former mentor is way more positive-thinking. He has that, "this too, shall pass"- type of philosophy about all Said has gone through. He appreciates the freedom Said has been restored. He seems to see the bright side that Said can't see yet. It got a little awkward and intense when it seemed that they said a rude comment to one another. The Said takes it as forgiveness and accepts his advice, too. He turns down Said for the journalist job; and it ends with Said saying: " May God increase your good fortune."
Chapter 4 begins with Said's thoughts on how the real Rauf that he knew had DISAPPEARED, the way that his ex-wife's love had and... his former best friend's loyalty had. He seems to me like he's playing the victim role and I'm actually not buying it.
It's revealed finally that Ilish did in fact snitch on Said, but also that his wife had been somewhat his former accomplice. said sneaks into his former teachers palace to steal!! And I find it intriguing how he relies more on skill than equipment. However, Rauf knows him so incredibly well that he KNEW he'd be trespassing and CATCHES him in the act. He doesn't turn him in to the police, but unfortunately he does tell Said to return the $ he gave him
IRONY: he ends up with less than he came in with.
Ch 5 bored me. He meets with old allies that imply that Said was not the only one to go arrested, but the FIRST to be released. One of the men presents him with a free revolver. Said doesn't seem to trust any one on Earth. It comes off as just plain paranoia. To himself, it seems like he tries to justify stealing later in the chapter. Nur, is a new character introduced. She's a coveted prostitute who actually has feelings for Said, but HE does not reciprocate them. It seems like she's going to help him later on in the story.