Barb, I can only say, yes, yes, yes and more yeses to your questions in your post. But like those in this story that have been used for greed, power, positioning, as those in what has been happening in our world today, the ones who are being used, also have a culpability in allowing themselves to be used. Each person has their own personal agenda as well. As we go into the next section of the book, it is clear, one used, is also one gaining something, for their own personal gain.
We would all be a fool if we thought these organized violent, hate filled protesters are of their own making. It takes much power, money and quick methods to accomplish this. We know who is behind them, and it sure aint Geppetto the puppet master, pardon my slang. Just like celebrities keeping quiet while Weinstein molested and raped young upcoming actors and actresses, there is a silence in government allowing women, children, organizations and universities, to be used for their maliciousness in their efforts to gain power.
This reminds me of when Jahan confronted Sinan about why he stays silent:
pg. 328 "Are we not going to investigate who did this?" "What can be done? I cannot interrogate every man on the site. If the workers suspect I don't trust them, they'll lose their will to work." Uneasiness cam over Jahan. He, on the contrary, believed that Sinan should question everyone until the culprit was found. He said, in a voice he didn't know was capable of, "Michelangelo mourned his assistant like his son. Whereas you . . .don't even care for us. Glass, wood, marble, metal . . . Are we not like these in your eyes, mere instruments in your construction?" Into the silence Sinan said, slowly, "That's not true." But Jahan was no longer listening.
Jahan is starting to see for himself what really matters to Sinan, and others. He is naive in thinking that people are put before power. Sinan himself seeks the power to create and build the best buildings in the world. At some point in life we all come to realize the dark truth, at times, greed and power can outweigh truth and justice. Jahan is realizing, Sinan, the man he has come to love as a father figure, strives approval from, the man he sees as noble, who has indeed done acts of humanity for not only him, but others, is also a man who chooses to sit silent, in order for him to continue his goals.
Just in today's world in the past year, look at the men who have fallen from grace due to allegations of sexual misconduct, and all those who were willing to remain silent because it would hurt their own careers. Our mentors are our mentors, until they are not.
