A Reading in -Arab Women Writers: An Anthology Of Short Stories - Part Three

In this part of the anthology, we can figure out the differences of Male-Female relations in Arab mentality-;- and how it is sometimes not that variable among the various social classes, ages,´-or-educational levels. I think these stories emphasize that there is a certain conservative attitude even among the so-called liberal Arab men, which indicates how the majority still subconsciously ruled by the religious and tribal values.

In “Where To?” by the Lebanese author Colette Suhayl Al-Khuri, we read about a symbolic comparison between human love, and that of stars-;- and how each one envies the other on his/her situation. Stars are separated from each other, their longing is strong, and once they decide to meet each other, they burn and die, while human beings are close to each other, and always utter the word of “Love” without understanding the full meaning of love and giving. The story emphasizes the concept of eternity of love, even if it was for a short time-;- the eternity comes from the depth of love, so we read, “What point is there in my eternity if I live in loneliness?” “The moment of our being together will live forever!” so it glorifies the moment of love even if it was followed by death. On the other hand, human beings think that stars are eternal, and wish their love were as eternal as stars. The language is poetic and reminded me of Khalil Gibran.

In “The Cat” by the Lebanese author Layla Ba’labakki, we read about the misery we might gain because of following unrealistic love through a symbolic story of a spoiled cat that used to enjoy a comfortable life in a family, before she decides to marry and leave them, to enjoy the love, and have little kittens. However, she faces difficult situations outside her home, eats rats, faces terrible weather conditions, and suffers from beating, starving and violence. This taught a young girl not to go further in her adventure loving a married man. It is a clever story that in-dir-ectly conveys its idea.

In “The woman of my dreams” by the Algerian author Fadila Al-Faruk, we read about the contradictions of educated Arab men through the relation between a female chemistry teacher, and an ugly philosophy teacher, who always tell her that he does not like marriage, and she insults herself by thinking like that, and make herself equal to other superficial women. He asked her to stay his “woman of his dreams” and a source for his inspiration. Finally, she discovered that all men lie, even philosophers, when he married another woman and had children. She tries to find another man to love, but she fails because of her relation with that philosopher, so she finds herself forced to accept the reality of being her “woman of dreams” and keeps meeting him in the “Studio of Lights”.

In “Mozart’s Fez” by the Palestinian author Samiya At’ut, we find ourselves in front of a short text full of mystery and symbols, mixing between modernism and retarded values of slavery, tents and having many wives, to have love with them one after another-;- this might be a symbol for the Arab men mentality in general.

In “A virgin continent” by the Palestinian author Samira Azzam, we read a clever conversation between an engaged couple, when the man was shocked to discover that her beloved woman knew a man before him, but their love was prevented from turning into marriage because of her family. The author was great depicting the man’s jealousy, his stereotype definition for the word “virtue”, his insisting on refusing what she had said, refusing to consider her sincerity as something precious, and inability to understand that women – just like men – have the right to discover the life too, and have their own triumphs and defeats. At last, he insists on considering that just a harsh joke, when she answers him saying, “You hate losing the sense of being the discoverer of a virgin continent.” The text is just clever and interesting.

In “An Old Couple” by the Syrian author Nadiya Khust, we read on an old couple meeting after a long time-;- and how the woman was a victim sacrificed to solve her father’s problem regarding their land in the village, so she sacrificed her love and herself, to save her family and young brothers and sisters. Her lover anyhow did not marry, and kept waiting for her. They meet again as her husband passed away, and discussed the changes in their village, and how young generation in enjoying lots of freedom now. This story shows us that old age sometimes gives women more freedom in the Arab society.

Rate the article
Bad	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Very good
Result : 100%							Participated in the vote : 1