The Hostage has been described as "portray[ing] the domestic space in the Yemeni pre-revolutionary era and its attendant issues of suffering, suppression, hegemony, dictatorship and oppression of an autocratic ruling family.

It is indirectly critical of Yemen's political situation at the time, namely the absolutist, arbitrary form of governance, corruption, and lack of development during the reign of Imam Yahya.

The protagonist is assigned to serve Sharifa Hafsa, a beautiful, divorced noblewoman who is the governor's sister.

As the "handsome duwaydar" is dying of tuberculosis, he learns that Imam Yahya was assassinated, which briefly energizes him despite his declining condition.

Sharifa Hafsa insists that the protagonist "save her" and take her away with him, but he refuses, doubting her seriousness, and starts to run.