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The Desert Drum: 1905

Written by Robert Hichens

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Short storiesSahara

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About this book

"The Desert Drum" by Robert Hichens is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story takes place in the Sahara Desert, revolving around themes of superstition, fate, and the clash between civilization and primal instincts. It explores the profoundly impactful and mystical nature of the desert, particularly focusing on the local belief in the foreboding "desert drum," which signals impending death. The narrative follows a European traveler as he journeys through the harsh landscape of the Sahara, encountering a Spahi (a French soldier) and a prisoner, M'hammed Bouaziz, who was convicted of murder. After a suspenseful evening marked by the haunting sound of a drum that foreshadows death, the traveler wakes to find the Spahi murdered. M'hammed Bouaziz, the prisoner, has escaped, leaving behind chilling evidence of a crime felt throughout the desert. The story emphasizes the inescapability of fate as Bouaziz's journey ultimately leads him back to the consequences of his actions while intertwining themes of love, desire, and the cultural weight of both the Sahara and its people.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Desert Drum: 1905, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • mysterious
  • foreboding
  • suspenseful

Robert Hichens's "The Desert Drum" is an early 20th-century novel set in the vast, mystical Sahara Desert, where ancient superstitions profoundly influence human destiny. The narrative centers on a European traveler who witnesses a chilling event: following the ominous sound of the 'desert drum' – believed to herald death – a French Spahi is murdered, and a convicted murderer, M'hammed Bouaziz, escapes. The story delves into the inescapable nature of fate, as Bouaziz's desperate flight ultimately leads him back to face the consequences of his actions. Through this suspenseful journey, Hichens explores the complex interplay between civilization and primal instincts, the power of a formidable landscape, and the cultural weight of love, desire, and justice in a world governed by unseen forces.

“The desert breathes a silence that speaks of ancient things, of destinies woven before man learned to name them.”

Key themes

Fate vs. Free Will
This is the central philosophical conflict, explored through M'hammed Bouaziz's journey. Despite his desperate attempts to escape, the narrative consistently reinforces the idea that his destiny, particularly regarding the consequences of his actions, is predetermined and inescapable. The 'desert drum' acts as a symbolic harbinger of this inescapable fate, suggesting a cosmic order that human agency struggles against in vain.
Superstition and Mysticism
The novel deeply explores the power of local beliefs and the mystical nature attributed to the Sahara Desert. The 'desert drum' is the most potent symbol of this theme, representing an ancient, spiritual force that dictates events and foreshadows death. This theme highlights a clash between rational, Western thought (represented by the traveler) and the profound, often terrifying, spiritual understanding of the indigenous people.
Clash of Civilizations and Primal Instincts
The story sets the European traveler and the French Spahi, representing Western civilization and its laws, against the raw, untamed environment of the Sahara and the 'primal instincts' embodied by M'hammed Bouaziz. It examines how these two worlds interact, often violently, and how the ancient forces of the desert can undermine modern attempts at control and justice. It questions the efficacy of 'civilized' laws in a 'primitive' setting.

Worth discussing

To what extent do you believe M'hammed Bouaziz was a victim of fate versus a perpetrator of free will? How does the 'desert drum' influence this interpretation?

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