Now I only read a little more than half of the story, Babette’s Feast, but from the reading that I have done I wonder whether she is really good woman? We have any books where the kind the woman has two sides to her that many do not recognize; therefore, I suspecting that she is hiding something from Philippa and Marine, the daughter’s of the Dean.
Now we know that from the letter Achille Papin of Paris sent that she is good woman, but why would a woman be so kind to two younger women and serve them for free. At first Babette appeared to be a beggar, but then to the two sisters she turned out to be a “conqueror”. When the two sisters told her they weren’t going to be able to pay her, she said that she would work for free and she wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. The narrator of this story states that Babette said, “If they sent her away she must die” (31). From the beginning of when they met, Babette showed her faithfulness to the younger woman, only knowing that according to Papin they are good people. Why would she do such things for people that she doesn’t even know? When Philippa has the dream that Babette poisons the older brothers and sister on page 40, it makes me think that Babette is up to something else. After all, she never speaks a word about her past life.
Another question that was brought to my mind was whether or not the two sisters are just using Babette. At the beginning when they first meet, the sisters inform Babette that they are poor and don’t like luxurious things. They said, “The first day after Babette has entered their service… they…explained to her that they were poor and that to them luxurious fare was sinful” (32). But, then they turn around and let her cater their father’s anniversary party after she wins her money. To me, they aren’t as good as they seem either.
Work Cited
Dinesen, Isak. Anecdotes of Destiny ; And, Ehrengard. New York: Vintage, 1993. Print.
Showing posts with label JNV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JNV. Show all posts
Friday, May 7, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
The GOOD Helping The EVIL
Ever since Shen Te has been given those thousand silver dollars from the Gods, she has made it her duty to help and please the needy. But, is helping somebody do bad still a good duty? She has given up her last to help Yang Sun become a pilot again, which is a good duty to do for someone. But, in order to fly the director at Peking airfield has to fire a well-rounded pilot. Yes, this will help Yang Sun financial and will give him another start in life. On the other hand this will affect the other employee who is going to be fired. What if he has family who he needs to support?
When Yang Sun is talking to Shui Ta about how the five-hundred silver dollars is going to help him fly, he states, “Not as these things go. He’ll have to fire one of the present pilots—for negligence. Only the man he has in mind isn’t negligent. Not easy, you understand. You needn’t mention that part of it to Shen Te” (53). Shen Te who is disguising herself to be Shui Ta finds this out and refuses to go with Yang Sun.
When Shui Ta goes in the back and unwraps himself to become Shen Te, she becomes a whole different person. She returns to the front of the shop willing to leave with the Barber, who wants to marry her not just for her money, but then is quickly pulled towards Yang Sun. Why? As Shui Ta she can refuse Yang Sun, but as soon as she removes the mask, she falls straight for Yang Sun, knowing his plans to just use her. Why doesn’t she just take the money back, and let him leave. What is the difference, she is the still the same person inside with or without the mask.
To me, she is desperate for love. This may be the first time she has ever fallen in love with somebody and she just doesn’t want to lose that bond. Being a prostitute was a job and she never had a chance to fall in love. Now that she has she is scared to let go. She loves the feeling of being needed, instead of being used and doesn’t want to lose that. Therefore, she has to disguise herself to be Shui Ta, in order to do something productive without being ran over, like here tobacco company.
Brecht, Bertolt. The Good Woman Of Setzuan. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1948.
When Yang Sun is talking to Shui Ta about how the five-hundred silver dollars is going to help him fly, he states, “Not as these things go. He’ll have to fire one of the present pilots—for negligence. Only the man he has in mind isn’t negligent. Not easy, you understand. You needn’t mention that part of it to Shen Te” (53). Shen Te who is disguising herself to be Shui Ta finds this out and refuses to go with Yang Sun.
When Shui Ta goes in the back and unwraps himself to become Shen Te, she becomes a whole different person. She returns to the front of the shop willing to leave with the Barber, who wants to marry her not just for her money, but then is quickly pulled towards Yang Sun. Why? As Shui Ta she can refuse Yang Sun, but as soon as she removes the mask, she falls straight for Yang Sun, knowing his plans to just use her. Why doesn’t she just take the money back, and let him leave. What is the difference, she is the still the same person inside with or without the mask.
To me, she is desperate for love. This may be the first time she has ever fallen in love with somebody and she just doesn’t want to lose that bond. Being a prostitute was a job and she never had a chance to fall in love. Now that she has she is scared to let go. She loves the feeling of being needed, instead of being used and doesn’t want to lose that. Therefore, she has to disguise herself to be Shui Ta, in order to do something productive without being ran over, like here tobacco company.
Brecht, Bertolt. The Good Woman Of Setzuan. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1948.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Decisions
When we are first introduced to Shen te, Wong, the water seller of Setzuan, is looking for a place stay for the Gods. According to the Gods and Wong only a good person would accept them and give them a place to stay. When Wong asks Shen Te she first refuses and claims she was expecting a man. But, then after Wong begs she agrees to hide from the gentleman until he leaves and then gives the Gods a place to stay.
Once she takes in the Gods, the Gods began to thank her and this when figure out that she is a prostitute. After the God begin to thank her and recognize her as a good human being, she disagrees and explains that she sells herself to pay the rent. Around Setzuan she is not know for being rich or a good woman. Her cousin Shui Ta says, “My cousin has the worst possible reputation: that of being poor” (28). When the Gods are leaving they give her more than a thousand silver dollars to her for the room; therefore, she has a chance not to be know as a poor prostitute. After she buys her tobacco shop, she begins giving out free tobacco, rice, and money to the needy. After she becomes broke and doesn’t have enough money to pay for her shop’s rent. After placing an ad for marriage to receive enough money to pay her rent, an elderly couple, the Old Woman and Old Man, give her the money to pay the rent.
After she receives the money for six months of rent, she turns around and gives it to Yang Sun’s mother, so that Yang Sun can become a pilot. She completely forgets that the money was for her rent. Why is she just handing out money? When she is singing, The Song of The Defenseless, the first stanza says:
In our country
A useful man needs luck
Only if he finds strong backer
Can he prove himself useful.
The good can’t defend themselves and
Even the gods are defenseless.
To me there is line to be drawn when it comes to helping people. You have to make sure you are situated financially before you begin helping others. She is just coming up from being a prostitute to being an owner of a tobacco shop, why doesn’t she care about herself. To me she is being dumb by not situating herself first. Yes, it is good that she is being a good person of Setzuan, but if she keeps acting the way she is, she is going to end up on the streets again. Then whom is she going to be able to help from there? If she continues to help useful man, without money she will become defenseless also.
Once she takes in the Gods, the Gods began to thank her and this when figure out that she is a prostitute. After the God begin to thank her and recognize her as a good human being, she disagrees and explains that she sells herself to pay the rent. Around Setzuan she is not know for being rich or a good woman. Her cousin Shui Ta says, “My cousin has the worst possible reputation: that of being poor” (28). When the Gods are leaving they give her more than a thousand silver dollars to her for the room; therefore, she has a chance not to be know as a poor prostitute. After she buys her tobacco shop, she begins giving out free tobacco, rice, and money to the needy. After she becomes broke and doesn’t have enough money to pay for her shop’s rent. After placing an ad for marriage to receive enough money to pay her rent, an elderly couple, the Old Woman and Old Man, give her the money to pay the rent.
After she receives the money for six months of rent, she turns around and gives it to Yang Sun’s mother, so that Yang Sun can become a pilot. She completely forgets that the money was for her rent. Why is she just handing out money? When she is singing, The Song of The Defenseless, the first stanza says:
In our country
A useful man needs luck
Only if he finds strong backer
Can he prove himself useful.
The good can’t defend themselves and
Even the gods are defenseless.
To me there is line to be drawn when it comes to helping people. You have to make sure you are situated financially before you begin helping others. She is just coming up from being a prostitute to being an owner of a tobacco shop, why doesn’t she care about herself. To me she is being dumb by not situating herself first. Yes, it is good that she is being a good person of Setzuan, but if she keeps acting the way she is, she is going to end up on the streets again. Then whom is she going to be able to help from there? If she continues to help useful man, without money she will become defenseless also.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Other-side
At the beginning of the novel, Palace Walk, the author, Naguib Mahfouz, portrays one of the main characters, Ahmad, as a inconsiderate father who doesn't care about anything but himself. But, as time progresses in the novel we see a change in character in Ahmad. The reason Naguib Mahfouz explains and describes Ahmad in these ways, is because he wants the audience to really grasp what being a father in a Muslim society is like. Throughout the novel, Ahmad hides his true emotions about his family, disguising himself to be an enraged father, when truly he is a kind and loving father who wants nothing more but perfection for his family. He is seen as tyrant, but as life becomes harder and he begins to lose control of his children with marriage negotiations, the pregnancy of his daughter, Aisha, and his son's, Fahmy, death we see his true emotions and love towards his family. At the end of the novel we see that Ahmad is not the evil tyrant we expect.
In one of Yesenias' blogs, Hard To Understand, she talks about Ahmad passion toward his daughter's. She mention the role of a father. She mentions in her blog, a father is the first man in a daughter life. This is very important, because the father chooses who she is going to marry; therefore, it is up to the father to shape his daughter according to what he thinks makes a perfect wife. All the times he has denied marriage offers for his daughter Aisha, wasn't to make her life miserable. He just wanted the best for his daughter and was trying to avoid family complications. Therefore, he decides to take life the way it comes and let God take control.
In Dr. Arshed's website article, Parent-Child Relationship in Islam, he states, “The father works hard to provide for their physical, educational and psychological (and spiritual) needs. When Aisha's first marriage arrangements come about, Ahmad grows furious of the idea. He doesn't agree that his youngest daughter should marry before his oldest daughter, Khadija. He is a afraid that if such arrangement are made, he would destroy his older daughter's future. Not only was he afraid that it would ruin her future, but he was scared his two daughter's will turn on each other and grow angry with one another. Here Ahmad is looking out for his Khadija's psychological needs. He doesn't want to make her feel as if she is ugly and unwanted. Therefore, Ahmad furiously rejects the marriage proposal. He says, “No daughter of mine will marry a man until I am satisfied that his primary motive for marrying her is a sincere desire to be related to me … me … me … me” (157). When many people read this statement, they view Ahmad as a conceited inconsiderate bastard. But, his primary motive was to protect his daughter's future and relationship with one another.
When Aisha's marriage arrangement comes about again, he agrees and lets Aisha marry Khalil. After he kindly escorts the widow of the late Mr. Shawkat out, the author describes Ahmad feelings about the whole situation. He says, “He was distressed and dejected. He had a sensitive heart, more sensitive than most people would have suspected. In fact, it was too sensitive... How happy it would make him to spare no expense to delight both his daughter's... Each of them was a vital part of him” (229). Here we see Ahmad in a different manner; Ahmad is confused and in a caring state of mind. By accepting Aisha's he wishes not to hurt Khadija, but at the same time he knows he cannot keep Aisha from life just to please her. He says, “I've thought about the matter for a long time and have decided to accept. I don't want to interfere with my daughter's fortune any more than I have already. The matter is in God's hands, both now and later” (235). He knows that his decision will effect Khadija, but realizes by denying Aisha marriage he is interfering with her future and happiness.
We also see that Ahmad really cares for his daughter, when Aisha is having the baby. Ahmad reacts and is worried about his daughter's life. He reacts saying, “What's happened to my little girl? The doctor! Why is the old lady keeping me from seeing her?” (474). If Ahmad didn't really love his daughter and just wanted her to suffer he wouldn't have even showed up. But instead he is there making sure his daughter is safe and protected.
In Daniela's blog, Hiding Behind The Wall, she talks about the sensitive side of Ahmad. She says, “The anger, strictness, and sternness with the family is simply a shield to prevent the family from seeing his sensitivity”(2010, Barajas). Knowing the responsibilities of a man, he knows he has to set an example for his children; therefore, he has to be mean and strict to show his children how to become a man.
In Dr. Arshed's website article, Parent-Child Relationship in Islam, he also states, “They are duty bound to protect their children in every way, physical, intellectual, moral. If the children have a temptation to do an act that is not in their long-term interest it is the duty of the parents to keep them back from that act or behavior. To this end they may resort to advice, rebuke, scolding, even hitting them”. After Ahmad finds out Fahmy is taking part revolution, he scolds him and tries to make him swear on the Qur'an. After he refuses to swear on the book, Ahmad punishes him verbally. Many people thought Ahmad was being to hard on him, and figure he should be supporting his son for what he wants to do. The reason Ahmad reacted the way he did to this situation, is because it his duty to protect his child and letting him taking part in the revolution would be protecting his child. In Dr. Arshed's website article, Parent-Child Relationship in Islam, he states, “If the children have a temptation to do an act that is not in their long-term interest it is the duty of the parents to keep them back from that act or behavior”. Ahmad knows Fahmy's actions could result to death; therefore, he tries to keep his son away from the revolution.
After Fahmy has disobeys his father, he returns asking for his father's forgiveness and approval on page 486. In response, Ahmad is thinking to himself, “My heart wishes to forgive him, but I'm afraid he'll think then that it's okay to disobey me” (486). Ahmad wants to forgive his son so bad, but he doesn't want to come off as being weak. Therefore, Ahmad is left putting on a slight attitude hinting to his son that he does forgive him, but that he is still mad an upset on what he has done. The reason Ahmad acts this way is to set an example on how a man is suppose to act.
Throughout the novel, Ahmad reacts to all these situations in a rude manner giving off the impression that he is a tyrant and unloving father, when really it is the total opposite. He reacts to these situations the way he does, only because he really loves his family. In some situations he could of reacted a little less ruling, but he was only reacting in the way in any father would. Ahmad was just being a father in Muslim society, he states, “It's true that fear makes men do foolish things...” (476). Ahmad reacts out of fear and desperation for perfection for his children that is why he is the way he is.
Work Cited
[weblog] Daniela, ''Hiding Behind The Wall.'' Digging Even Deeper. 23 February 2010. 22 March 2010. (http://diggingevendeeper.blogspot.com/2010/02/throughout-book-mahfouz-portrays-ahmad.html)
[weblog] Yezzy, ''Hard to Understand.'' Digging Even Deeper. 24 February 2010. 22 March 2010. (http://diggingevendeeper.blogspot.com/2010/02/hard-to-understand.html)
Dr. Arshed. "Parent-Child Relationship in Islam." Islam 101. Web. 06 Apr. 2010..
Mahfouz, Naguib. Palace Walk (Cairo Trilogy). New York: Anchor, 1990. Print.
In one of Yesenias' blogs, Hard To Understand, she talks about Ahmad passion toward his daughter's. She mention the role of a father. She mentions in her blog, a father is the first man in a daughter life. This is very important, because the father chooses who she is going to marry; therefore, it is up to the father to shape his daughter according to what he thinks makes a perfect wife. All the times he has denied marriage offers for his daughter Aisha, wasn't to make her life miserable. He just wanted the best for his daughter and was trying to avoid family complications. Therefore, he decides to take life the way it comes and let God take control.
In Dr. Arshed's website article, Parent-Child Relationship in Islam, he states, “The father works hard to provide for their physical, educational and psychological (and spiritual) needs. When Aisha's first marriage arrangements come about, Ahmad grows furious of the idea. He doesn't agree that his youngest daughter should marry before his oldest daughter, Khadija. He is a afraid that if such arrangement are made, he would destroy his older daughter's future. Not only was he afraid that it would ruin her future, but he was scared his two daughter's will turn on each other and grow angry with one another. Here Ahmad is looking out for his Khadija's psychological needs. He doesn't want to make her feel as if she is ugly and unwanted. Therefore, Ahmad furiously rejects the marriage proposal. He says, “No daughter of mine will marry a man until I am satisfied that his primary motive for marrying her is a sincere desire to be related to me … me … me … me” (157). When many people read this statement, they view Ahmad as a conceited inconsiderate bastard. But, his primary motive was to protect his daughter's future and relationship with one another.
When Aisha's marriage arrangement comes about again, he agrees and lets Aisha marry Khalil. After he kindly escorts the widow of the late Mr. Shawkat out, the author describes Ahmad feelings about the whole situation. He says, “He was distressed and dejected. He had a sensitive heart, more sensitive than most people would have suspected. In fact, it was too sensitive... How happy it would make him to spare no expense to delight both his daughter's... Each of them was a vital part of him” (229). Here we see Ahmad in a different manner; Ahmad is confused and in a caring state of mind. By accepting Aisha's he wishes not to hurt Khadija, but at the same time he knows he cannot keep Aisha from life just to please her. He says, “I've thought about the matter for a long time and have decided to accept. I don't want to interfere with my daughter's fortune any more than I have already. The matter is in God's hands, both now and later” (235). He knows that his decision will effect Khadija, but realizes by denying Aisha marriage he is interfering with her future and happiness.
We also see that Ahmad really cares for his daughter, when Aisha is having the baby. Ahmad reacts and is worried about his daughter's life. He reacts saying, “What's happened to my little girl? The doctor! Why is the old lady keeping me from seeing her?” (474). If Ahmad didn't really love his daughter and just wanted her to suffer he wouldn't have even showed up. But instead he is there making sure his daughter is safe and protected.
In Daniela's blog, Hiding Behind The Wall, she talks about the sensitive side of Ahmad. She says, “The anger, strictness, and sternness with the family is simply a shield to prevent the family from seeing his sensitivity”(2010, Barajas). Knowing the responsibilities of a man, he knows he has to set an example for his children; therefore, he has to be mean and strict to show his children how to become a man.
In Dr. Arshed's website article, Parent-Child Relationship in Islam, he also states, “They are duty bound to protect their children in every way, physical, intellectual, moral. If the children have a temptation to do an act that is not in their long-term interest it is the duty of the parents to keep them back from that act or behavior. To this end they may resort to advice, rebuke, scolding, even hitting them”. After Ahmad finds out Fahmy is taking part revolution, he scolds him and tries to make him swear on the Qur'an. After he refuses to swear on the book, Ahmad punishes him verbally. Many people thought Ahmad was being to hard on him, and figure he should be supporting his son for what he wants to do. The reason Ahmad reacted the way he did to this situation, is because it his duty to protect his child and letting him taking part in the revolution would be protecting his child. In Dr. Arshed's website article, Parent-Child Relationship in Islam, he states, “If the children have a temptation to do an act that is not in their long-term interest it is the duty of the parents to keep them back from that act or behavior”. Ahmad knows Fahmy's actions could result to death; therefore, he tries to keep his son away from the revolution.
After Fahmy has disobeys his father, he returns asking for his father's forgiveness and approval on page 486. In response, Ahmad is thinking to himself, “My heart wishes to forgive him, but I'm afraid he'll think then that it's okay to disobey me” (486). Ahmad wants to forgive his son so bad, but he doesn't want to come off as being weak. Therefore, Ahmad is left putting on a slight attitude hinting to his son that he does forgive him, but that he is still mad an upset on what he has done. The reason Ahmad acts this way is to set an example on how a man is suppose to act.
Throughout the novel, Ahmad reacts to all these situations in a rude manner giving off the impression that he is a tyrant and unloving father, when really it is the total opposite. He reacts to these situations the way he does, only because he really loves his family. In some situations he could of reacted a little less ruling, but he was only reacting in the way in any father would. Ahmad was just being a father in Muslim society, he states, “It's true that fear makes men do foolish things...” (476). Ahmad reacts out of fear and desperation for perfection for his children that is why he is the way he is.
Work Cited
[weblog] Daniela, ''Hiding Behind The Wall.'' Digging Even Deeper. 23 February 2010. 22 March 2010. (http://diggingevendeeper.blogspot.com/2010/02/throughout-book-mahfouz-portrays-ahmad.html)
[weblog] Yezzy, ''Hard to Understand.'' Digging Even Deeper. 24 February 2010. 22 March 2010. (http://diggingevendeeper.blogspot.com/2010/02/hard-to-understand.html)
Dr. Arshed. "Parent-Child Relationship in Islam." Islam 101. Web. 06 Apr. 2010.
Mahfouz, Naguib. Palace Walk (Cairo Trilogy). New York: Anchor, 1990. Print.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Sensitive Soul-dier
The ending of Naguib Mahfouz’s novel, Palace Walk, shows one of the main characters opening himself up to the reader. Like an oyster, he opened his strong shell to expose his soft inside. Throughout the entire novel, al-Sayyid Ahmad plays the tough dictatorial father who allows no questioning of his authority, and does whatever he pleases whenever he pleases. But in a dramatic change of events, Ahmad reveals that he isn’t only the strict tyrant that he is perceived to be, he is a delicate, innocent person who, like most other on this world, is torn apart after finding out terrible news about one of his children.
“The young man said with obvious sorrow, 'We are sad to inform you of the death of our brother freedom fighter Fahmy Ahmad… (495)'” Ahmad learns that his son Fahmy just died during a peace rally. He asks the soldiers many questions and among them is a comment which shows Ahmad's ignorance. Ahmad thinks that this was Fahmy's first rally against the war, well it wasn't. Fahmy had gone behind his father's back and attended other rallies before. He must have thought of the saying, “What daddy don't know, wont hurt him.” Well that didn't, but Fahmy's death did. And with Fahmy also died the tyrannical Ahmad that Mahfouz portrayed throughout the novel. Like Daniela mentioned in her blog, Hiding Behind the Wall, “...[H]e was too sensitive, he acted so rough with them to protect himself from being hurt by them.” She is talking about how he acts with his daughters, and this also applies to his sons. But after Fahmy died, he can't be tough on him anymore, and there is no more act.
Like previously mentioned, Ahmad wasn't the nicest guy in the world. He wasn't faithful either to his wife or his religion, he was mean spirited, and he obviously wasn't a good role model, but an even like the death of your child, that can really turn a person around. I'll sidetrack to my personal life briefly. Whenever my mother hears a story about how someone's son died, she says, “Ay no! Yo no podria vivir sabiendo que se me murio un hijo.” With that, she summarizes some of the feelings that Ahmad is having. He could not live knowing that one of his children died. No one can truly feel what Ahmad feels unless they are a parent themselves.
And Ahmad learned a lesson that any other parent in this situation would learn. As I believe Johnathan tries to get at in his blog Father's and Children's Relationships, he learns what the role of being a father is. The death of Fahmy is going to bring him closer to his remaining children.
Fahmy is now dead, but he left an inheritance of lessons for his family, and the first one to get his share, Ahmad, learned quickly, and changed his ways.
Works Cited
Mahfouz, Naguib. Palace Walk (Cairo Trilogy). New York: Anchor, 1990.
“The young man said with obvious sorrow, 'We are sad to inform you of the death of our brother freedom fighter Fahmy Ahmad… (495)'” Ahmad learns that his son Fahmy just died during a peace rally. He asks the soldiers many questions and among them is a comment which shows Ahmad's ignorance. Ahmad thinks that this was Fahmy's first rally against the war, well it wasn't. Fahmy had gone behind his father's back and attended other rallies before. He must have thought of the saying, “What daddy don't know, wont hurt him.” Well that didn't, but Fahmy's death did. And with Fahmy also died the tyrannical Ahmad that Mahfouz portrayed throughout the novel. Like Daniela mentioned in her blog, Hiding Behind the Wall, “...[H]e was too sensitive, he acted so rough with them to protect himself from being hurt by them.” She is talking about how he acts with his daughters, and this also applies to his sons. But after Fahmy died, he can't be tough on him anymore, and there is no more act.
Like previously mentioned, Ahmad wasn't the nicest guy in the world. He wasn't faithful either to his wife or his religion, he was mean spirited, and he obviously wasn't a good role model, but an even like the death of your child, that can really turn a person around. I'll sidetrack to my personal life briefly. Whenever my mother hears a story about how someone's son died, she says, “Ay no! Yo no podria vivir sabiendo que se me murio un hijo.” With that, she summarizes some of the feelings that Ahmad is having. He could not live knowing that one of his children died. No one can truly feel what Ahmad feels unless they are a parent themselves.
And Ahmad learned a lesson that any other parent in this situation would learn. As I believe Johnathan tries to get at in his blog Father's and Children's Relationships, he learns what the role of being a father is. The death of Fahmy is going to bring him closer to his remaining children.
Fahmy is now dead, but he left an inheritance of lessons for his family, and the first one to get his share, Ahmad, learned quickly, and changed his ways.
Works Cited
Mahfouz, Naguib. Palace Walk (Cairo Trilogy). New York: Anchor, 1990.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Father's and Children's Relationship
Throughout the novel, we witness a lot of lying. The children and the mother, Amina, lie in order to be happy. Why do they lie? They are suppose to fear their father, since he is so strict. You would figure they'll obey Ahmad at any cost to refrain from getting any punishment. But, this is not the case. Toward the end of this novel, the narrator states:
Lying was not considered contemptible or shameful in this household. Living in their father's shadow, none of them would have been able to enjoy any peace without the protection of a lie. They openly admitted this to themselves....If they had been totally truthful with their father, life would have lost its savor (424).
The first sentence says lying is not look bad upon in the household, which is true because everybody in the house has lied in many cases. Ahmad disapproves with lying and catches a temper rage when he finds out somebody is lying, but then he turns around and lies. The next line says none of the children would have never made it without sneaking around Ahmad back. Lying is how they found happiness. Even Kamal lies and goes of after school without any protection his father demanded him to have. Further along this paragraph, it says, “If they had been totally truthful with their father, life would have lost its savor” (424). This is true in many cases, even for us. If the children would have told the truth every time and asked for permission before they do something, this book would be boring. By having the children lie it keeps us into to the book always wondering what if. What if Ahmad finds out? Lying plays a big role throughout the book, but why do they continue to lie and disobey their father?
When reading this novel, I made conclusions that all the people that live with Ahmad feared him. I suggested that fear overcame the love throughout their relationship with their father or husband. It is not that they feared their father, it is simply that they loved and respected their father. A father's role throughout the muslim culture is to support the family and to guide their children on the right path. In the muslim culture, it is different than what we live by. The parent arranges the marriage, based on what they think is best for the children. If the child ends up to be a failure in life, many people would blame the parents for what the child has turned out to be. It is not the Ahmad dislikes his children and wants to make their lives a living heal, it is simply that cares and wants the best for his children.
In one of Danielas' blogs, Hiding Behind The Wall, she talks about the sensitive side of Ahmad. She says, “The anger, strictness, and sternness with the family is simply a shield to prevent the family from seeing his sensitivity”(2010, Barajas). I agree with this a lot. Knowing the responsibilities of a man, he knows he has to set an example for his children; therefore, he has to be mean and strict to show his children how to become a man. We see a perfect example of this with his son, Fahmy. After Fahmy has disobeyed his father, he return asking for his father's forgiveness and approval on page 486. In response, Ahmad is thinking to himself, “My heart wishes to forgive him, but I'm afraid he'll think then that it's okay to disobey me” (486). Ahmad wants to forgive his son so bad, but he doesn't want to come off as being weak. Therefore, Ahmad is left putting on a slight attitude hinting to his son that he does forgive him, but that he is still mad an upset on what he has done.
In one of Yesinias' blogs, Hard To Understand, also taking about Ahmad passion toward his daughter's she mention the role of a father. She mentions in her blog, a father is the first man in a daughter life. This is very important, because the father chooses who she is going to marry; therefore, it is up to the father to shape his daughter according to what he thinks makes a perfect wife. All the times he has denied marriage offers for his daughter Aisha, was not that he was trying to mean and wanted to make her life miserable. He just wanted the best for his daughter. When Aisha is having the baby, Ahmad reacts and is worried about his daughter's life. He reacts saying, ““What's happened to my little girl? The doctor! Why is the old lady keeping me from seeing her?” (474). Here we see that Ahmad really does care for his daughter and that he loves her with all his heart.
The children lied because they didn't want to degrade their father. They understood that being a father means being strict and mean toward them. They understood that Ahmad only wanted the best for them. All the screaming and fighting was just tough love. So, they lied giving Ahmad the satisfaction of being a father, Ahmad wanted to be. Through all the toughness of their relationship with their father, they manage to see past that and find the love.
Throughout the whole book, I never really understood why Ahmad was so harsh with his children. I figured he didn't care about his children. After I read the whole book, I realized he was just being father. He was just looking out for them, and want to make sure as they grow up they'll be prepared for life. Ahmad says towards the end of the book, “It's true that fear makes men do foolish things” (476). All along he was just scared his children will end up hurt some way or another, so his only solution was to be strict and try to control everything they do to protect them.
Mahfouz, Naguib. Palace Walk (Cairo Trilogy). New York: Anchor, 1990. Print.
Lying was not considered contemptible or shameful in this household. Living in their father's shadow, none of them would have been able to enjoy any peace without the protection of a lie. They openly admitted this to themselves....If they had been totally truthful with their father, life would have lost its savor (424).
The first sentence says lying is not look bad upon in the household, which is true because everybody in the house has lied in many cases. Ahmad disapproves with lying and catches a temper rage when he finds out somebody is lying, but then he turns around and lies. The next line says none of the children would have never made it without sneaking around Ahmad back. Lying is how they found happiness. Even Kamal lies and goes of after school without any protection his father demanded him to have. Further along this paragraph, it says, “If they had been totally truthful with their father, life would have lost its savor” (424). This is true in many cases, even for us. If the children would have told the truth every time and asked for permission before they do something, this book would be boring. By having the children lie it keeps us into to the book always wondering what if. What if Ahmad finds out? Lying plays a big role throughout the book, but why do they continue to lie and disobey their father?
When reading this novel, I made conclusions that all the people that live with Ahmad feared him. I suggested that fear overcame the love throughout their relationship with their father or husband. It is not that they feared their father, it is simply that they loved and respected their father. A father's role throughout the muslim culture is to support the family and to guide their children on the right path. In the muslim culture, it is different than what we live by. The parent arranges the marriage, based on what they think is best for the children. If the child ends up to be a failure in life, many people would blame the parents for what the child has turned out to be. It is not the Ahmad dislikes his children and wants to make their lives a living heal, it is simply that cares and wants the best for his children.
In one of Danielas' blogs, Hiding Behind The Wall, she talks about the sensitive side of Ahmad. She says, “The anger, strictness, and sternness with the family is simply a shield to prevent the family from seeing his sensitivity”(2010, Barajas). I agree with this a lot. Knowing the responsibilities of a man, he knows he has to set an example for his children; therefore, he has to be mean and strict to show his children how to become a man. We see a perfect example of this with his son, Fahmy. After Fahmy has disobeyed his father, he return asking for his father's forgiveness and approval on page 486. In response, Ahmad is thinking to himself, “My heart wishes to forgive him, but I'm afraid he'll think then that it's okay to disobey me” (486). Ahmad wants to forgive his son so bad, but he doesn't want to come off as being weak. Therefore, Ahmad is left putting on a slight attitude hinting to his son that he does forgive him, but that he is still mad an upset on what he has done.
In one of Yesinias' blogs, Hard To Understand, also taking about Ahmad passion toward his daughter's she mention the role of a father. She mentions in her blog, a father is the first man in a daughter life. This is very important, because the father chooses who she is going to marry; therefore, it is up to the father to shape his daughter according to what he thinks makes a perfect wife. All the times he has denied marriage offers for his daughter Aisha, was not that he was trying to mean and wanted to make her life miserable. He just wanted the best for his daughter. When Aisha is having the baby, Ahmad reacts and is worried about his daughter's life. He reacts saying, ““What's happened to my little girl? The doctor! Why is the old lady keeping me from seeing her?” (474). Here we see that Ahmad really does care for his daughter and that he loves her with all his heart.
The children lied because they didn't want to degrade their father. They understood that being a father means being strict and mean toward them. They understood that Ahmad only wanted the best for them. All the screaming and fighting was just tough love. So, they lied giving Ahmad the satisfaction of being a father, Ahmad wanted to be. Through all the toughness of their relationship with their father, they manage to see past that and find the love.
Throughout the whole book, I never really understood why Ahmad was so harsh with his children. I figured he didn't care about his children. After I read the whole book, I realized he was just being father. He was just looking out for them, and want to make sure as they grow up they'll be prepared for life. Ahmad says towards the end of the book, “It's true that fear makes men do foolish things” (476). All along he was just scared his children will end up hurt some way or another, so his only solution was to be strict and try to control everything they do to protect them.
Mahfouz, Naguib. Palace Walk (Cairo Trilogy). New York: Anchor, 1990. Print.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Woman (Animals)
In my previous blog, I talked about how Aisha and the rest of the family really feared Ahmad rather than loved him. When Ahmad is considering his daughter's, Aisha, marriage, he denies the request. This really hurts Aisha emotional, but still she looks past her emotions to forgive her father. Why? Following this the narrator refers to Aisha as a “ wild animal”, when talking about her feelings. He says, “They fell back impotently like a wild animal stopped by its trainer, whom it loves and fears” (160-161). This really stuck out to me, because even though women are abused and mistreated throughout the book it is the first time they are referred to as tamed animals. Meaning the men have gained complete control over the women through fear. Further along in the book, Yasin also refers to women as being a domestic animal.
What more does any woman want than a home of her own and sexual gratification? Nothing! Women are just another kind of domestic animal, and must be treated like one. Yes, other pets are not allowed to intrude into our private lives. They stay home until we're free to play with them. For me, being a husband who is faithful to his marriage would be death. (338)
When Yasin is talking about his marriage and how he perceives his wife and women in general, he says a woman doesn't want anything more than a home and sexual pleasure. Is this true? Do woman throughout the book just want pleasure and a place to stay, or is it just what he wants? To me, it is simply what Yasin wants and craves. We have seen his sexual desires when he examines woman in the store and when he tries to have sexual intercourse with the maid, in which he successfully rapes one of the maids further into the book. He also shows no desire to leave his father's house. Then again what more can we expect, he is fairly young and has strong sexual desires, but in many cases he has gone to far.
He also says, “Women are just another kind of domestic animal, and must be treated like one. Yes, other pets are not allowed to intrude into our private lives. They stay home until we're free to play with them” (338). Her refers to them as a domestic animal. Domestication is a process in which a animal is selected to be taken under the rule of a human. Yasin is saying that men in his culture have taken over woman and woman must obey an order from a man at any circumstance. Based on the Iran Chamber Society website, in the religion of Islam, the majority of people see woman as a creature for men and his service. We see this with Amina and the way she is submissive to Ahmad. Based on this novel, we can suggest that woman are there serve the man and to do house duties. The Iran Chamber Society also says that throughout history, women have been used by men as sexual objects. Yasin is a perfect example on how men see woman only as a sexual object. His father Ahmad, basically arranges his marriage because of his sexual urges. Woman also stay at home the majority of the time, waiting for the men of the house to return, so they can serve the men or as Yasin says “until we're free to play with them”(338).
This is the second time in the novel, women are referred to as animals, and from examples they almost relate to animals. Whenever the man says sit or to shut up, they do exactly what is being asked. Women throughout the novel have been manipulated. Men have developed a mind control over women ,and to the Islamic culture there is no wrong doing when men mistreat women because that is exactly how they were brought up. For example, according to the website of World Art Erotica, wife beating has happen so often that housewives see it as a part of marriage of life. The way men degrade women has become a part of their culture.
What more does any woman want than a home of her own and sexual gratification? Nothing! Women are just another kind of domestic animal, and must be treated like one. Yes, other pets are not allowed to intrude into our private lives. They stay home until we're free to play with them. For me, being a husband who is faithful to his marriage would be death. (338)
When Yasin is talking about his marriage and how he perceives his wife and women in general, he says a woman doesn't want anything more than a home and sexual pleasure. Is this true? Do woman throughout the book just want pleasure and a place to stay, or is it just what he wants? To me, it is simply what Yasin wants and craves. We have seen his sexual desires when he examines woman in the store and when he tries to have sexual intercourse with the maid, in which he successfully rapes one of the maids further into the book. He also shows no desire to leave his father's house. Then again what more can we expect, he is fairly young and has strong sexual desires, but in many cases he has gone to far.
He also says, “Women are just another kind of domestic animal, and must be treated like one. Yes, other pets are not allowed to intrude into our private lives. They stay home until we're free to play with them” (338). Her refers to them as a domestic animal. Domestication is a process in which a animal is selected to be taken under the rule of a human. Yasin is saying that men in his culture have taken over woman and woman must obey an order from a man at any circumstance. Based on the Iran Chamber Society website, in the religion of Islam, the majority of people see woman as a creature for men and his service. We see this with Amina and the way she is submissive to Ahmad. Based on this novel, we can suggest that woman are there serve the man and to do house duties. The Iran Chamber Society also says that throughout history, women have been used by men as sexual objects. Yasin is a perfect example on how men see woman only as a sexual object. His father Ahmad, basically arranges his marriage because of his sexual urges. Woman also stay at home the majority of the time, waiting for the men of the house to return, so they can serve the men or as Yasin says “until we're free to play with them”(338).
This is the second time in the novel, women are referred to as animals, and from examples they almost relate to animals. Whenever the man says sit or to shut up, they do exactly what is being asked. Women throughout the novel have been manipulated. Men have developed a mind control over women ,and to the Islamic culture there is no wrong doing when men mistreat women because that is exactly how they were brought up. For example, according to the website of World Art Erotica, wife beating has happen so often that housewives see it as a part of marriage of life. The way men degrade women has become a part of their culture.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Divorce
Throughout Palace Walk, we witness a lot of sexual tension, an urge for marriage, and divorce between both young adults and adults. Divorce is the one topic that really stands out. Ahmad has already divorce his first wife and then he throws Amina, his second wife, out the house for some time also. If a couple is not actually divorce, but separated for some time. What is she to the family?
When Yasin goes to his father, Ahmad, to tell him that his mother is going to re-marry, Ahmad is shock and angry towards the situation. He tells Yasin, “Didn't we vow to consider her a person who never existed”(107). From Ahmad point of view after divorce, an ex-wife is nothing. In fact, he act as if she never even existed. But, according to Yasin, she will always be his mother and be could no forget the fact she still exist. When Ahmad throws Amina out the house, her mom refers to her as a stranger. The narrator says the following paragraph below, when describing what Amina's mother thought about the temporary separation.
When the old lady found her silent or sensed that her daughter's thoughts were wandering, she would tell her, “Patience, Amina. I fell sorry for you. A mother away from her children is a stranger. She's a stranger even if she's staying in the house where she was born” (231).
Amina's mother says she feels sorry for her and that at long as she is away from home, she is consider a stranger. Amina is being referred to as a stranger, even though she is not officially divorce. But, according to her mother and mother who lives outside her husband house is consider a stranger no matter what. A stranger is somebody that you don't know exist. Some one you know nothing of, similar to what Ahmad thinks about his first wife. But, its her children that cannot let go of her. To them she will always exsit. Why is it that divorced mothers or mothers who live outside the house are considered bad? Is it an older generation view? To Ahmad and Amina's mother a wife out the house is nothing, but the children can't seem to let go of there mother, whether bad or good.
CNN reporter, Olivia Sterns, reports that when Egyptian women get divorce they are look at as being evil or something not right. She also reports that Egypt is a very male-dominate place. Being a male-dominate place, men always blame the women for all the problems. Which we see in Palace Walk. Men are in authority throughout the book; therefore, when divorce or separation is brought forth, people always wonder what the women did to cause their husband to kick them out. It is obvious throughout Palace Walk that men are in control and that they dominate the women. This causes a separation from men and women.
Another thing Olivia Sterns mentions is that divorce rate has gone up, because of women rights. In Palace Walk, women aren't allow to do multiple things. Women aren't allowed to go to school, have a job, or even rome around outside the house because it is frowned upon. With women rights, women have the right to education and employment. Therefore, women are less willing to accept an unhappy marriage. If Amina was allowed to education and employment, will she leave Ahmad?
I think that Amina would leave Ahmad is she had the right to education and employment. When Amina mother is talking to her, she say, “I feel sorry for you”(231). She said this because Amina was depressed and because Amina didn't have anything. She had nothing to hold her up. With a background educations and a job, she'll be able to support herself and keep busy. The narrator also says that even though she was raised at her mother's home, that house could not be consider her home. And with an employment she'll be able to get her own home and will be able to live without the help of Ahmad. She is not with Ahmad because she loves him, but because she has nowhere else to do or anybody to be with.
Sterns, Olivia. "'Let's Talk About Sex, Divorce' In Egypt." CNN World. Web. 24 Feb. 2010..
When Yasin goes to his father, Ahmad, to tell him that his mother is going to re-marry, Ahmad is shock and angry towards the situation. He tells Yasin, “Didn't we vow to consider her a person who never existed”(107). From Ahmad point of view after divorce, an ex-wife is nothing. In fact, he act as if she never even existed. But, according to Yasin, she will always be his mother and be could no forget the fact she still exist. When Ahmad throws Amina out the house, her mom refers to her as a stranger. The narrator says the following paragraph below, when describing what Amina's mother thought about the temporary separation.
When the old lady found her silent or sensed that her daughter's thoughts were wandering, she would tell her, “Patience, Amina. I fell sorry for you. A mother away from her children is a stranger. She's a stranger even if she's staying in the house where she was born” (231).
Amina's mother says she feels sorry for her and that at long as she is away from home, she is consider a stranger. Amina is being referred to as a stranger, even though she is not officially divorce. But, according to her mother and mother who lives outside her husband house is consider a stranger no matter what. A stranger is somebody that you don't know exist. Some one you know nothing of, similar to what Ahmad thinks about his first wife. But, its her children that cannot let go of her. To them she will always exsit. Why is it that divorced mothers or mothers who live outside the house are considered bad? Is it an older generation view? To Ahmad and Amina's mother a wife out the house is nothing, but the children can't seem to let go of there mother, whether bad or good.
CNN reporter, Olivia Sterns, reports that when Egyptian women get divorce they are look at as being evil or something not right. She also reports that Egypt is a very male-dominate place. Being a male-dominate place, men always blame the women for all the problems. Which we see in Palace Walk. Men are in authority throughout the book; therefore, when divorce or separation is brought forth, people always wonder what the women did to cause their husband to kick them out. It is obvious throughout Palace Walk that men are in control and that they dominate the women. This causes a separation from men and women.
Another thing Olivia Sterns mentions is that divorce rate has gone up, because of women rights. In Palace Walk, women aren't allow to do multiple things. Women aren't allowed to go to school, have a job, or even rome around outside the house because it is frowned upon. With women rights, women have the right to education and employment. Therefore, women are less willing to accept an unhappy marriage. If Amina was allowed to education and employment, will she leave Ahmad?
I think that Amina would leave Ahmad is she had the right to education and employment. When Amina mother is talking to her, she say, “I feel sorry for you”(231). She said this because Amina was depressed and because Amina didn't have anything. She had nothing to hold her up. With a background educations and a job, she'll be able to support herself and keep busy. The narrator also says that even though she was raised at her mother's home, that house could not be consider her home. And with an employment she'll be able to get her own home and will be able to live without the help of Ahmad. She is not with Ahmad because she loves him, but because she has nowhere else to do or anybody to be with.
Sterns, Olivia. "'Let's Talk About Sex, Divorce' In Egypt." CNN World. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Is it Love or Fear?
During my discussion topic, I broug
ht up the place of women and how men treat them. The way women are treated throughout the book, is very different than today. Men are in power of the women, and all women must obey their husband at anytime no matter what the situation is. After this we began to discuss the relationship between the children and the fathers and how the children must obey their fathers, no matter if they disagree with the situation or not. When discussing his daughter marriage negotiations Ahmad denies the request and doesn't allow his daughter to marry. The emotions and reaction of his daughter, Aisha, really stuck out to me. In paragraph below the the narrator describes her feelings.
Although she was hurt, angry, and resentful, these emotions could not touch her father. They fell back impotently like a wild animal stopped by its trainer, whom it loves and fears. Aisha was not able to attack her father, not even in the depths of her heart. She continued in her love and devotion for him. She felt sincerely dutiful to him, as though he were a god whose decree could only be received with submission, love, and loyalty. (160-161)
Here we are able to see how much Aisha respects her father even though she strongly disagreed with her father decision of not letting her marry the officer, who she truly fell for. But, we still don't know whether or not she really respects her father, or does she just fear her father. Is it love or fear?
Obviously we can see from this paragraph that Aisha feelings are deeply hurt and that she is heart broken. Aisha is able to look past this pain and hate towards her father, and forgive him. To me she fears her father more than she loves her father. The author uses the metaphor a wild animal. He says, “They fell back impotently like a wild animal stopped by its trainer, whom it loves and fears” (160-161). They meaning emotions were lifted from her and she was able to look past that time. But, in order to tame a wild animal who must put fear in the animals heart in order for the animal to obey you. By taking over the animals, you take control of their life; therefore, to me its more fear than love. An animal knows if he goes against the owner's rule, it would be punish so it is scared to do otherwise.
Aisha is afraid to stand up against her father, because she knows there is no way around it and that she would get punished if she does so. She has been put under his command and rule. Her father has taken over her mind and life; therefore, she lets him control what she does. She has become a tamed “animal”. We have seen how the children are being controlled by Ahmad, but now the narrator is referring to the daughter as an “wild animal”.
At the end of this paragraph, the narrator describes Aisha feeling toward Ahmad by saying, “She felt sincerely dutiful to him, as though he were a god whose decree could only be received with submission, love, and loyalty” (161). The narrator says she looks to her father as a God, which to me is beyond extreme. He also says that the actions he does are done out of love and loyalty. This shows that the family held their father and wouldn't do anything to disobey him.
In the bible it says “fear God”. God is the only person we shall fear, because he can instantly change ones life. The family refer to him as God because he has the power to choose what they do in life and who they marry. By referring to their father as God, shows they fear him more than they love him. Yes, it is natural that we all love our parents because they are the ones who gave us life. But in Aisha case, it seems that she has overlook the love towards her father and has replaced it with fear. The family doesn't really have much love for their father, but are to afraid to against his orders.
Does Ahmad want his family to fear him, or is he just looking out for the best interest for his family?
Does he really love his family, or is he in love more with the power and control he has over them?
ht up the place of women and how men treat them. The way women are treated throughout the book, is very different than today. Men are in power of the women, and all women must obey their husband at anytime no matter what the situation is. After this we began to discuss the relationship between the children and the fathers and how the children must obey their fathers, no matter if they disagree with the situation or not. When discussing his daughter marriage negotiations Ahmad denies the request and doesn't allow his daughter to marry. The emotions and reaction of his daughter, Aisha, really stuck out to me. In paragraph below the the narrator describes her feelings.Although she was hurt, angry, and resentful, these emotions could not touch her father. They fell back impotently like a wild animal stopped by its trainer, whom it loves and fears. Aisha was not able to attack her father, not even in the depths of her heart. She continued in her love and devotion for him. She felt sincerely dutiful to him, as though he were a god whose decree could only be received with submission, love, and loyalty. (160-161)
Here we are able to see how much Aisha respects her father even though she strongly disagreed with her father decision of not letting her marry the officer, who she truly fell for. But, we still don't know whether or not she really respects her father, or does she just fear her father. Is it love or fear?
Obviously we can see from this paragraph that Aisha feelings are deeply hurt and that she is heart broken. Aisha is able to look past this pain and hate towards her father, and forgive him. To me she fears her father more than she loves her father. The author uses the metaphor a wild animal. He says, “They fell back impotently like a wild animal stopped by its trainer, whom it loves and fears” (160-161). They meaning emotions were lifted from her and she was able to look past that time. But, in order to tame a wild animal who must put fear in the animals heart in order for the animal to obey you. By taking over the animals, you take control of their life; therefore, to me its more fear than love. An animal knows if he goes against the owner's rule, it would be punish so it is scared to do otherwise.
Aisha is afraid to stand up against her father, because she knows there is no way around it and that she would get punished if she does so. She has been put under his command and rule. Her father has taken over her mind and life; therefore, she lets him control what she does. She has become a tamed “animal”. We have seen how the children are being controlled by Ahmad, but now the narrator is referring to the daughter as an “wild animal”.
At the end of this paragraph, the narrator describes Aisha feeling toward Ahmad by saying, “She felt sincerely dutiful to him, as though he were a god whose decree could only be received with submission, love, and loyalty” (161). The narrator says she looks to her father as a God, which to me is beyond extreme. He also says that the actions he does are done out of love and loyalty. This shows that the family held their father and wouldn't do anything to disobey him.
In the bible it says “fear God”. God is the only person we shall fear, because he can instantly change ones life. The family refer to him as God because he has the power to choose what they do in life and who they marry. By referring to their father as God, shows they fear him more than they love him. Yes, it is natural that we all love our parents because they are the ones who gave us life. But in Aisha case, it seems that she has overlook the love towards her father and has replaced it with fear. The family doesn't really have much love for their father, but are to afraid to against his orders.
Does Ahmad want his family to fear him, or is he just looking out for the best interest for his family?
Does he really love his family, or is he in love more with the power and control he has over them?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Woman
After reading the first part of the novel, Palace Walk, we are able to see the difference between a man and a woman and which position they serve. In the opening paragraph, Amina has grown accustom to the way she serves her husband, Ahmad, after he returns from an evening of entertainment. We see here that the purpose of a woman is to keep her husband pleased, to serve the husband. As for men, they are able to enjoy the night out, while their wives stay home. Ahmad says, “ I’m a man. I’m the one who commands and forbids. I will not accept any criticism of my behavior. All ask of you is to obey me” (4). This tells us that around this day and age, men overpower the women. A woman’s duty is to obey the man, at any means.
Further throughout the passage, Yasin says, "A woman. Yes, she's nothing but a woman. Every woman is a filthy curse. A woman doesn't know what virtue is, unless she's denied all opportunities for adultery. Even my stepmother, who's a fine woman-- God only knows what she would be like if it weren't for my father" (81).
The way men degrade women, really stands out. Throughout the novel, we see that men overpower women. The men go out and work to support the family financially, and the women stay home to cook, to take care of the children, and most importantly to serve the men. Many people argue since society has changed it might seem bad now, but in the past it was okay to treat women the way they did. But, even in the past it seems unjust to refer to woman the way Yasin does. The way Yasin degrades women in this passage, is overwhelming. Yasin says a woman is a “filthy curse” and that a woman is nothing without a man. But in before he mentions his this passage, in the bar Yasin says, "It was just bad luck which plunked that man in front of me today. He's destined to die one day. I wish a lot of men would die. He's not the only one" (80). He is saying the way men act towards women is disrespectful, and that eventually they will die along with their views toward women. But in the passage above he refers to women as filthy. So, we see that Yasin is unsure on how he views women. Does he really think less of women, or does he just have hatred towards is mother?
Further throughout the passage, Yasin says, "A woman. Yes, she's nothing but a woman. Every woman is a filthy curse. A woman doesn't know what virtue is, unless she's denied all opportunities for adultery. Even my stepmother, who's a fine woman-- God only knows what she would be like if it weren't for my father" (81).
The way men degrade women, really stands out. Throughout the novel, we see that men overpower women. The men go out and work to support the family financially, and the women stay home to cook, to take care of the children, and most importantly to serve the men. Many people argue since society has changed it might seem bad now, but in the past it was okay to treat women the way they did. But, even in the past it seems unjust to refer to woman the way Yasin does. The way Yasin degrades women in this passage, is overwhelming. Yasin says a woman is a “filthy curse” and that a woman is nothing without a man. But in before he mentions his this passage, in the bar Yasin says, "It was just bad luck which plunked that man in front of me today. He's destined to die one day. I wish a lot of men would die. He's not the only one" (80). He is saying the way men act towards women is disrespectful, and that eventually they will die along with their views toward women. But in the passage above he refers to women as filthy. So, we see that Yasin is unsure on how he views women. Does he really think less of women, or does he just have hatred towards is mother?
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