Patriarchy, Female Circumcision, and Social Stratification in “Woman at Point Zero”
1. Introduction
“Woman at Point Zero” is a novel by Nawal El Saadawi, first published in 1983. The book is semi-autobiographical, based on the life of Firdaus, a woman who has been imprisoned for killing a man. Firdaus tells her story to Saadawi, who then records it. The novel is set in Cairo, Egypt, and covers a span of approximately twenty years, from Firdaus’s childhood to her execution.
Patriarchy, female circumcision, social stratification, marginalization, abuse, neglect, and exploitation are all themes that are explored in the novel. These themes are not unique to “Woman at Point Zero”; they are also present in other works of literature. However, what makes “Woman at Point Zero” stand out is the way in which it analyzes these issues.
2. Patriarchy in “Woman at Point Zero”
Patriarchy is a social system in which men have power over women. In “Woman at Point Zero”, patriarchy is evident in the way men control women’s bodies and lives. For example, Firdaus’s father arranges for her to be married against her will. He also forces her to undergo female circumcision, a practice that is designed to control women’s sexual pleasure and, as a result, their lives.
Female circumcision is a controversial practice that is still performed in many parts of the world today. In “Woman at Point Zero”, Firdaus’s experience with female circumcision is used to symbolize the way in which patriarchy controls women’s bodies and lives.
3. Social stratification in “Woman at Point Zero”
Social stratification is the division of society into classes based on economic status. In “Woman at Point Zero”, social stratification is evident in the way Firdaus is treated by her family and society as a whole.
Firdaus comes from a lower-class background and as a result, she is treated as if she is inferior to those around her. Her family does not value her opinion and she is not given the same opportunities as her siblings. Instead, she is expected to marry someone she does not love and to live a life of servitude.
4. Marginalization in “Woman at Point Zero”
Marginalization is the process by which people or groups are pushed to the outskirts of society. In “Woman at Point Zero”, marginalization is evident in the way Firdaus is treated by her family and society as a whole.
Firdaus is marginalized because she is a woman. She is expected to marry someone she does not love and to live a life of servitude. She is also subjected to female circumcision, a practice that robs her of her sexual pleasure and autonomy. As a result of all this, Firdaus feels like an outsider in her own life and country.
5. Abuse in “Woman at Point Zero”
Abuse is the mistreatment of someone for the purpose of gain or advantage. In “Woman at Point Zero”, abuse is evident in the way Firdaus is treated by her husband and in-laws.
Firdaus’s husband beats and rapes her. He also forces her to work long hours without pay. Her in-laws are also abusive, using her as a servant and subjecting her to physical and verbal abuse.
6. Neglect in “Woman at Point Zero”
Neglect is the failure to provide for someone’s basic needs. In “Woman at Point Zero”, neglect is evident in the way Firdaus’s family treats her.
Firdaus’s family does not value her opinion and they do not give her the same opportunities as her siblings. Instead, she is expected to marry someone she does not love and to live a life of servitude. As a result, Firdaus feels neglected and unimportant.
7. Exploitation in “Woman at Point Zero”
Exploitation is the use of someone for one’s own gain. In “Woman at Point Zero”, exploitation is evident in the way Firdaus is treated by her husband and in-laws.
Firdaus’s husband uses her for sex and forces her to work long hours without pay. Her in-laws also exploit her, using her as a servant and subjecting her to physical and verbal abuse. As a result, Firdaus feels like she is being exploited and used by those around her.
8. Conclusion
“Woman at Point Zero” is a novel that explores the themes of patriarchy, female circumcision, social stratification, marginalization, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. These themes are not unique to the novel; they are also present in other works of literature. However, what makes “Woman at Point Zero” stand out is the way in which it analyzes these issues.