In "The Eye," Bowles masterfully unveils the fragile dance of human existence, where people become mere puppets to the whims of fate, powerless against the currents that steer their lives. This theme unravels through the narrative as Marsh, shrouded in ignorance about his own poisoning, finds himself paralyzed to halt the impending doom even when clues emerge.

Embodied by the character of Larbi, the story echoes the inevitability of Marsh's demise, as if destiny itself had decreed it. Larbi encapsulates this fatalism with a simple utterance, "suerte." Although this term translates to "luck" in Spanish, within the Arabic cultural tapestry of Tangier, it resonates more deeply, embracing the intertwined threads of "fate."

The Dual Nature of Colonialism

Colonialism is a complex tapestry, weaving not only the physical takeover of a land by foreign occupants but also insidiously occupying the minds of its people. Morocco's rich history bears the scars of such occupations, with hints of both French and Spanish influence echoing through its cultural corridors. In the mid-twentieth century, Europeans of various origins flocked to Morocco, lured by affordable living and the allure of what they deemed "exotic" vibrancy.

The Expatriates' Perspective

Within this milieu, expatriates like the narrator and Marsh, hailing from Western shores, reveal their colonial biases through a veneer of superiority towards the Moroccans. Marsh, in particular, finds himself entangled in a web of dependency, where he must purchase even the most essential of securities—his life. His attempt to bribe Larbi to surveil the cook, whom he suspects of poisoning him, underscores the skewed dynamics of power between the colonizers and the colonized.

Power Dynamics and Dependency

Though the colonizers seem to wield power, armed with education and wealth, the true puppeteers are the very people they rely upon for survival. The narrator further exposes his imperial attitudes through his portrayal of Moroccans, painting them as prey to superstition and ignorance. Thus, beneath the surface of apparent control lies a dependency that subtly shifts the balance of power in unexpected ways.

The Eye unfolds like a classic detective tale, with the narrator stepping into the shoes of an investigator, meticulously piecing together the puzzle of Marsh's untimely demise. Fittingly, this narrative found its home in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, a renowned repository of suspenseful whodunits. At the story's outset, the narrator recounts the whispers and hearsay surrounding the alleged "crime," then doggedly pursues every lead to unravel the truth from Larbi Lairini, whom he suspects of foul play.

Employing a blend of subtlety and strategy, the narrator attempts to coax revelations from Larbi, ultimately resorting to bribery in his quest for answers about Marsh's fate. Yet, the deeper he delves, the more elusive the truth becomes. His certainty dissolves, leaving him unable to place the blame squarely on any one person. In a poignant conclusion, he ponders, What is a crime? There was no criminal intent—only a mother moving in the darkness of ancient ignorance.