Enishte’s Manipulative Behavior

          Enishte is given the honor and blessing of creating a book for Our Sultan.  The way that he wishes to complete the book is controversial because of their religion.  Enishte succeeds in getting the master miniaturists to complete the book, regardless of the controversy, by cunningly manipulating them.

Enishte’s manipulative behavior can be seen when he is interacting with the other miniaturists about the book for Our Sultan.  I first noticed his controlling nature when the final illustration was discussed.  Enishte is aware that his choice and style for the final illustration is controversial, therefore, he is extremely careful how he presents it to the other miniaturists.  For example, Enishte has the murderer draw various objects on the large sheet of paper first before the rest of the illustration is completed.  This way, the murderer has no inclination of the blasphemy against their religion.  He also has the master miniaturists work at home so they cannot see each other’s work or converse with each other about it.  This stops doubts about the style of the illustration from being discussed.  Even when the miniaturists do approach Enishte with doubts, he cunningly diverts their attention.  When the murderer expresses his doubts to Enishte stating that, “The greatest of sins is committed by painters who presume to do what He does”, instead of answering or defending his work Enishte turns the question around on the murderer asking, “Do you think this is what we’ve been doing?” (160).  Enishte not only avoids answering the question, but also makes himself look like a victim.  This makes the murderer doubt himself and his accusations.

Enishte knows his miniaturists extremely well and tricks them into following his exact wishes by exploiting their hidden desires.  For instance, when Enishte wants a master miniaturist to illustrate Death, he refuses because only Allah has the ability to create.  Enishte succeeds in convincing him because he knows of the man’s impatience and eagerness to draw the unknown.  Later, the master miniaturist regrets his actions and admits, “being cunningly duped by the old man, the master illustrator who drew me found himself, suddenly and unwittingly imitating the methods and perspectives of the Frankish virtuosos” (128).  Enishte manipulates the miniaturists by taking advantage of their weaknesses.  This is not done simply through words, but also with actions.  When the murderer begins to question Enishte about the final illustration, Enishte strokes his hair at just the right time so the murder feels an uncontrollable affection towards Enishte and bows down to him.

Enishte’s manipulative behavior allows him to control the making of the book and the style in which it is illustrated.  Enishte knows that the style he wishes to use is considered sacrilegious and that his master miniaturists might oppose it.  By exploiting their weaknesses and keeping extreme secrecy, Enishte is able to create the illustrations how he wishes without much opposition.