Most relationships these days are based on the fact the woman and the man chose to be with one another because they love each other. These couples are the exception.
The first couple seen in this story is Amina and Ahmad. Amina is not allowed to leave the house at anytime of the day and if any man gazes upon her from the windows of the house this could lead to scolding from her husband. She is allowed to cook, clean, and take care of the children and her husband but nothing more. Ahmad, on the other hand, is allowed to go out and do his business then he can stay out with his friends drink and fornicating with strange women, but if he gets home and his “wife” Amina is not awake to clean him up when he gets there that is another step that could lead Amina to a grave punishment. “ … If only for the moment she was not his servant but also a partner in his life”. (pg 11) This is what Amina thinks every night when Ahmad comes home from his nightly outings with the boys. Ahmad comes home drunk and Amina pleasantly undresses him and washes his feet like a servant would. But the reason she likes these times at night is because these are the only times when Ahmad will talk to her and tell her things about the outside world. This is the first time talks to her like a person who is his equal instead of like a slave who he thinks is beneath him and should just do what he says. But when morning comes for the next day he treats her like trash yet again. From the quote above it seems as if Ahmad is not married because he has any love for Amina but for the fact that she can be a great life long servant for him. It seems like love doesn’t matter anymore, that it is not even taken into any consideration in these marriages.
Hear and obey … hear and obey” ( pg 198) This is what Amina keeps repeating to herself after Ahmad kicks her out of the house for being disobedient and going into town. She says it as if this is what Ahmad has instilled in her to constantly follow, kind of like how the army brainwashes its solider. In her mind she has done something wrong because she has upset Ahmad and the servant is always there to please and make sure that the master is taken care of. If this is called love it is not the love that is seen today. In relationships today both people are servants to one another in a sense it’s not just one does all the work and the other gets to sit back and enjoy the benefits of the other shard work.
The servitude is clearly seen and explained in Abigail’s blog. She writes, “Young Amina, having been raised in a culture where women have always been seen as inferior to men, has been serving her husband for a quarter of a century. She has taken good care of her household, her husband, her stepson, Yasin, and her children since the age of 14.” Abigail’s words show that there is not love in between the marriages here but only the fact of servitude. It shows that the women aren’t seen as the love of the man life, but that they are seen only as a servant, a tool that is to be used regularly but never treated any better than just a tool. In her blog she goes on to write, “Mahfouz, as Amina's memory of Mr. Amad's words, writes, "'I'm a man. I'm the one who commands and forbids. I will not accept any criticism of my behavior. All I ask of you is to obey me. Don't force me to discipline you" (4). These words were the words that taught Amina to adapt to her new life.” The quote in this part of Abigail’s blog shows how Ahmad also sees his wife’s role. He doesn’t see her as a friend or a partner just some one who must obey him like a dog must obey their master. Aby also writes that Amina begins to learn how to love her new life. Well of course she does, she has no choice but to lover her new life. As a servant to her “master” she has to love what she does so that she will be able to do well so that Ahmad will not punish her.
In Rykeem’s blog on Woman worth he writes, “Growing up, I was always taught that women, like a diamond, are to be cherished and treated with respect. But when and where did that become the accepted view? As we see from observing the treatment of women in Naguib Mahfouz's Palace Walk, not to long ago, women where no more than objects, a mere possession of a gentlemen. A general characteristic of property or an object is the essence of being controlled or used for the benefit of someone else. The word “object” has an implication the entity, object, has no ability to choose, a right given to every human by God”. The words he writes are so true to the story. The women are treated just like objects, something that is to be had but not treated like she is a person. This is exactly what Ahmad thinks of Amina as a possession. She is to do what she is told and to serve him because she is his to have and control.
Work cited
Hackett, Rykeem D. "A Woman's Worth." Web log post. Web. 13 Apr. 2010.
Cisneros, Abigail V. "What Not To Judge." Web log post. Web. 13 Apr. 2010.
Mahfouz, Naguib. Palace Walk. Toronto: First American Edition, 1991. Print.
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