In the novel Palace Walk written by the Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz introduces us to a Muslim family. We see how in this novel the men are the ones with the power and the woman must be submissive to everything that men say. We also get to see the type of relationship that the wife has with her sons. In the dialogue we see how her Kamal wants more freedom and is asking his mom how is it that he can receive all that freedom.
“His mother smiled and replied Going out nights is not a goal you should be dreaming about now.
He shouted in protest, But my father goes out at night and so does Yasin.
His mother raised her eyebrows in confusion and stammered, Be patient till you become a man. Then you can get a job. When the time is right, God will grant you opportunities.” (57)
In this quote Kamal is asking for more freedom like the one that his brother Yasin has gotten all because he works. Kamal also uses his father as an example of why is it that they have so much freedom why he has to tell his mom where he’s going and what time he’s going to get back home. Kamal’s mom tells him that he should not be looking forward to going out at nights and having a lot of freedom. One thing that Kamal’s mom doesn’t do is explain to him why is it that having so much freedom should not be looked forward to. As a child I would find it pointless if I don’t receive an explanation for why so much freedom is not given to me.
Kamal seems to want to be like his dad and brother. He doesn’t understand that what his brother and father are setting as an example is not a very good example. Kamal’s mother is telling him to wait for the right time and that everything would be clear to him. She says that the right time would be when he becomes a man. Kamal must also have a job and more importantly God will grant him the opportunities that he wants. Kamal’s mom is very religious and she believes a lot in God and therefore she believes that God will open the path for Kamal.
This novel is very interesting especially since we also get to learn about the culture of another country.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This issue of freedom is interesting. Are there ways in which Kamal has more freedom than anyone else? Why do you think Amina wouldn't explain the situation entirely here? (Keep thinking about freedom as the novel continues....)
ReplyDelete