A SOCIOLOGICAL CRITIQUE OF GENDER VIOLENCE IN NAWAL EL-SADAAWI'S WOMAN AT POINT ZERO
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Date
2015
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Andah Journal of Cultural Studies, University of Calabar
Abstract
In all ramifications, El-Sadaawi’s work, Woman at point Zero cries out that the female gender is severely exploited and culturally subjugated in the Arab society of Egypt. The author aesthetically portrays the exploitation, intimidation, domestic aggression, rape, sexual harassment and similar other social vices that man perpetuates against women. Through a sociological study of the text, this essay criticizes the author’s projection of the way forward for the Arab women in the face of oppression. The paper specifically argues that the author’s approach to resolving the perennial gender violence is undoubtedly radical and scandalous. To large extent, the novel succeeds in terminating the culture of projecting the Arab Women as lifeless and insensitive object, yet the narration goes beyond the known liberal approach to conflict resolution in many similar great works of Afro- Arab Writers. The writer re~defines the face of feminism in the Arab world in a way that is antithetical to the cherished values of women as compassionate human beings. The author presents a resilient, defiant and evil minded protagonist whose audacious revolt against the oppressive patriarchal culture leaves every reader bewildered.
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Keywords
NAWAL EL-SADAAWI, Gender Violence, Sociological Critique, Woman at point zero, Arab Society, Cultural Subjugation