The Tale of Sinuhe is a unique Ancient Egyptian story in that it is one of the few tales set in a foreign land and it is mostly a propaganda piece (Wilkinson 381). The tale is a successful piece of literature in due in part to its structure. It has a common story arc that disrupts the main characters way of life, the death of Amenemhat I. The bulk of the narrative gives information on the main character that causes the reader to identify with them. Three quarters of the way through the tale, a negative event occurs that disrupts the protagonist new way of life, the battle with the man from Retenu. Finally, the story ends on a high note with Sinuhe’s return to Egypt, a satisfying resolution. The Tale of Sinuhe is powerful and rewarding because it draws the reader in, keeps their interest, and resolves in a way that leaves the reader with the sense that their life has been enriched. …show more content…
The story begins by notifying the reader of the death of the pharaoh and says that “the God ascended to his horizon” (Simpson 55). We know that the Ancient Egyptians believed that the way to the afterlife was through the desert and on towards the horizon. By describing the pharaoh as a god they are furthering the idea that he is a divine being. In the same way, Sinhue’s statements in conversation with the chief of Upper Retenu hold the same kind of divine message. He states that new pharaoh, Senwosret I, son of Amenemhat I, “is a God, indeed, without peer” (Simpson 57). After this he continues to list the pharaoh’s positive qualities. This form of praise for the pharaoh was more than likely meant to engaged the Egyptian people and give them a sense of awe about their ruler. By instilling this sense of wonder, the people would be more inclined to follow the laws of the state since they believed he was such a wonderful and divine