Around the world different societies, cultures and people have their own views on feminism. Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, cultural, and social rights for women. In a perfect world this ideology is followed and respected; but nothings perfect, different societies around the world do not see this ideology as one to be followed. The short story “An Incident in the Ghobashi Household” by Alifa Rifaat shows this ideology not being followed by oppressing and denying females of basic human rights; all of this is shown through a particular situation the protagonist Ni’ma gets herself into of being pregnant before marriage and the good and bad that comes
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Firstly, Zeinat gives Ni’ma all of her life savings in order for her to flee to Cairo to birth her child; this will save her from the punishment that would result from her illegitimate pregnancy. The fact Zeinat would give Ni’ma her “life savings” (161) to help her out of harms way shows a concerned woman giving everything she has in order to save another woman in need. This displays the feministic idealism that women help each other to define equal rights for females around the world. Moreover to protect Ni’ma, Zeinat lies to their neighbour Umm Al-Khair about the future whereabouts of Ni’ma. Umm Al-Khair asks “Isn’t Ni’ma coming with me to the market as usual?” (161) but if Ni’ma went with her she would’ve noticed her pregnancy; so Zeinat lies by saying “She’s just going off to stay with our relatives” (161) so that Ni’ma can have an excuse to flee to Cairo. The fact that Zeinat is willing to risk her own credibility and safety by lying about such a significant ripple in their society for Ni’ma shows how much Zeinat cares for Ni’ma as a daughter and as a woman and the risks she is willing to take to ensure her safety. To help strengthen the ideology of feminism in places where it is weak, woman must help each other so this ideology can be defined, strengthened and established. When Zeinat helps Ni’ma in her …show more content…
Similarly, assuming that this story takes place in Egypt, one can say that the religion practised in the story is Islam. The Islamic Religion is very tough on sex and pregnancy before marriage in both men and woman; this is shown when Zeinat is fearful of “What would happen when [Ghobashi] returned and found out the state of affairs” (160) referring to Ni’ma’s pregnancy. However in writing, the rights between men and woman in this area are the same but conversely the rights granted to woman are rarely practised, resulting in a pitiable, nay, shameful condition of Muslim women when they are found in this situation; like Ni’ma’s. Defending and defining these rights for woman will help females like Ni’ma in the future. Furthermore, the Islamic religion presented in the story is extremely hard on females; making them believe when they have wronged the religion that taking extreme measures to make it right is ok. After Zeinat becomes aware of Ni’ma’s pregnancy, Ni’ma says” If the lord were to spare you the trouble of mine. If my foot were to slip as I was filling the water jar in the canal and we’d be done with it” (160) implying that she thinks dying for her actions is the right choice. If Ni’ma wishes to die rather than disobey her religion and face its consequence than it is obvious
Firstly, Zeinat gives Ni’ma all of her life savings in order for her to flee to Cairo to birth her child; this will save her from the punishment that would result from her illegitimate pregnancy. The fact Zeinat would give Ni’ma her “life savings” (161) to help her out of harms way shows a concerned woman giving everything she has in order to save another woman in need. This displays the feministic idealism that women help each other to define equal rights for females around the world. Moreover to protect Ni’ma, Zeinat lies to their neighbour Umm Al-Khair about the future whereabouts of Ni’ma. Umm Al-Khair asks “Isn’t Ni’ma coming with me to the market as usual?” (161) but if Ni’ma went with her she would’ve noticed her pregnancy; so Zeinat lies by saying “She’s just going off to stay with our relatives” (161) so that Ni’ma can have an excuse to flee to Cairo. The fact that Zeinat is willing to risk her own credibility and safety by lying about such a significant ripple in their society for Ni’ma shows how much Zeinat cares for Ni’ma as a daughter and as a woman and the risks she is willing to take to ensure her safety. To help strengthen the ideology of feminism in places where it is weak, woman must help each other so this ideology can be defined, strengthened and established. When Zeinat helps Ni’ma in her …show more content…
Similarly, assuming that this story takes place in Egypt, one can say that the religion practised in the story is Islam. The Islamic Religion is very tough on sex and pregnancy before marriage in both men and woman; this is shown when Zeinat is fearful of “What would happen when [Ghobashi] returned and found out the state of affairs” (160) referring to Ni’ma’s pregnancy. However in writing, the rights between men and woman in this area are the same but conversely the rights granted to woman are rarely practised, resulting in a pitiable, nay, shameful condition of Muslim women when they are found in this situation; like Ni’ma’s. Defending and defining these rights for woman will help females like Ni’ma in the future. Furthermore, the Islamic religion presented in the story is extremely hard on females; making them believe when they have wronged the religion that taking extreme measures to make it right is ok. After Zeinat becomes aware of Ni’ma’s pregnancy, Ni’ma says” If the lord were to spare you the trouble of mine. If my foot were to slip as I was filling the water jar in the canal and we’d be done with it” (160) implying that she thinks dying for her actions is the right choice. If Ni’ma wishes to die rather than disobey her religion and face its consequence than it is obvious