Together with members of your group and students in other sections, you’ll be reading Dreams of Trespass over the next several weeks. Although you're not required to take notes while you read, it would be wise to keep track of important events and characters for your own clarification. You are, however, expected to participate regularly and thoughtfully in an online discussion of seven essential questions.
Here's how it works:
Divide your book into two roughly equal halves. You need to have read and blogged about your book by the due dates below.
- There are two kinds of posts in this discussion: responses and comments.
- Post at least SIX responses altogether: at least THREE for the 1st half of reading and at least THREE for the 2nd half.
- You must respond to at least five essential questions over the course of your reading.
- You may respond to only two questions more than once.
- One of your six responses can be a "free response" post.
- Post at at least TEN comments altogether: at least FIVE for the 1st half of reading and at least FIVE for the 2nd half.
- Post your first three responses to the book and five comments by TUESDAY, MARCH 15.
- Post your final three responses to the book and five comments by FRIDAY, MARCH 31.
- How do the characters assert their individuality within a repressive society?
- Where do the characters find sources of inspiration in their lives?
- How are the characters affected by events/changes in society?
- How is the practice of veiling (or restrictions on dress in general) reflective of cultural attitudes toward gender roles? How do these attitudes affect characters’ lives?
- How does our cultural background shape our perception of women and the practice of veiling (or wearing a head scarf) in other countries?
- How do the characters’ personal stories expand your understanding of the societies in which they live?
- Should there be one standard for gender equality throughout the world? Why or why not?
Assessment: To earn maximum credit, post thoughtful responses that are at least a short paragraph in length—and carefully proofread! Do not misspell characters' or authors’ names! Also, be sure to include specific references to the text (either details or short quotations).
While reading the book, I have come to realize that Fatima (the author) isn't the one actively fighting the oppression of women in her household. Rather, it is her mother who is shaping Fatima to be the girl fighting oppression alongside herself. It is her mother who is telling her to make her own choices and think with her own mind. It is her mother who is preparing her own meals, something considered to be very rude in harem life, as everyone is supposed to beat to the group's rhythm as a whole, which means eating every meal together, at a set time. Fatima's mother asserts her individuality not only through preparing her own meals, but also by showing that she is her own person with her own private life that doesn't have to be shared with the rest of the family with which she shares a home. She creates her own private evenings with her immediate family, making it clear that no one else is allowed to join in on these special nights, aside from Samir, Fatima's cousin who just so happens to have been born mere hours apart from her. A lot of Fatima's mother's individuality shines through in chapter 9, the chapter from which I am pulling these examples.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely connects to what I wrote about the women on Grandfather Tazi's farm because it shows Fatima's mother expressing her individuality within her own harem. Even though she is not one of many wives like they are, she is one of many family members living by the harem customs. She does not have the same freedoms as the farm women to go out and experience nature or participate in the activities that it provides. This means that she has to find other ways to express herself, and she does this through making her own breakfast and arranging the special nights.
DeleteThese posts remind me of another section of the book that describes how, when the men left, the women somehow forged a key to turn on the radio; this was one of their only sources of entertainment. Not many outside objects were allowed inside the harem; to listen to music and sing along was an exhilarating experience for the women of the harem. In modern day America, I believe we often take these small amenities for granted; not only do must of us have phones, laptops, or iPods readily available, but we also have cars that have built in radios. We have the luxury to listen to music, watch TV, write English papers, all at the tips of our fingers. For the women to experience music through radio (while short-lived, as Fatima and Samir accidentally told the secret to the men) was something that they could value in their minds forever.
DeleteMy first post got deleted somehow, which is very frustrating. But my first post in essence discussed how I never really realized how important of a character Fatima's mother was. She changed with the times and capitalized upon the revolutionary actions of her peers.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFatima and her cousin, Samir, are affected by the French military presence in Morocco because they are deeply afraid of the French city and people. They understand that the foreigners have rights that the natives do not. “The French walked around carrying guns with them in plain view all the time, while Father had to ask permission from many different sources just to keep his hunting rifle.” (24.) In January of 1944, Fatima and Samir witnessed the aftermath what was perceived to be an attack on the Moroccans by the French. They saw many dead bodies being carried away, and had nightmares for months. Even many years later, they are still terrified of the soldiers and know that their city is a frontier which they cannot cross.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with this, and would like to add that this may be another reason why the men try to keep the women away from the city. They most likely see them as being inferior, or weak, unable to deal with these emotional traumas the same way men would be able to. We definitely see the fear as described from the perspectives of the children, though I wonder what it must be like for the adults as they are more connected to the politics of the city.
DeleteI probably should've reloaded the page before posting my first response, as it addresses this same topic -- however, this was one of the most interesting stories so far to me. The fact that the Moroccan people came to fear the French, then attempt to break into freedom, and then be fearful again, is a pattern seen throughout history in many different scenarios. (For example, China overpowering Taiwan.) Most viewpoints that school has shown us so far are from the perspectives of the dominant country and its people; "Dreams of Trespass", however, does a fantastic job of showing us the inside view of what it's like to suffer under the grip of another country.
DeleteThis part of the book gives great insight into how the oppressed feel in a military takeover. It seems that all the time the only perspective the rest of the world receives is that of the oppressor, but knowing how the Muslims are being treated enlightens the reader. I never knew that the French took over parts of northern Africa, I assume that this occurred during World War I. This book is not just an interesting piece to read, but also a helpful informational tool.
DeleteThe women on Grandfather Tazi’s farm assert their individuality by participating in the activities that interest them. They each have a life story which is known to the rest of the family and generally connects to their interests. For example, Tamou enjoys riding horses on the fam because of her past as a war heroine. Yaya cares for her banana tree as a way to connect to her homeland, Sudan. Mabrouka swims during the wives’ dishwashing sessions to retrieve lost dishes. She was kidnapped from a fishing village and had become accustomed to swimming during her childhood. Even though all of the co-wives live together and share a husband, they are very different people and have no trouble showing this through their actions and life stories.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more and completely forgot about these specific individualities as I was writing my own response on a similar subject. Instead, I focused more on the freedoms. It's definitely a stark contrast to the role women play in the harem in Fez, where they are not encouraged at all to lead their own lives, separate from the harem. It's difficult for Fatima's mother to even make her own breakfast without being frowned upon, where these women are having fun and telling stories and being so unique from one another, and I believe that this is one reason why they are so happy. We spend so much time in the modern world worrying about how we appear to others, and often times we try to fit into a group. This book really emphasizes the dangers of doing just that, and even exemplifies how happy people are when they be themselves.
DeleteI mentioned in a different response the way that Tazi's wife, Yasmina, had a sense of humor that was out of place, and yet necessary for his happiness nonetheless. Tazi needs Lalla Thor, one of his wives, because she was both beautiful to him and came with an immense dowry; he also 'needs' each of his other wives, including Yasmina, for their individual personalities and benefits that they bring to him. The entire scenario with Yasmina naming the duck after Lalla Thor shows the occasional conflict inside their close-knit family, but if that's the worst of the fighting, their situation is fairly docile.
DeleteThe river dishwashing was slightly confusing to me. I guess you could say it enlightened me as to how difficult some simple tasks were at this time and in this part of the world. Something as simple as cleaning the dishes struck me as something that would be more difficult when attempted in a moving body of water. However, we are never informed as to how normal dishwashing is done, so perhaps it is easier.
DeleteHunter, I'm not sure that the washing of the dishes in the river was necessarily meant to be easier. My impression was that the women were trying to make a somewhat monotonous task more exciting and enjoyable. Even though this most likely took more effort, it broke up the usual chore routine that the women typically followed. I can understand why the women, living in a warm climate and constantly doing housework, would want to take a break and splash around in the cool stream.
DeleteAn important question to address concerning 'Dreams of Trespass' is the effect that events/changes in society has on characters. One of the most prominent scenarios that Fatima describes is the conflict between Moroccans and the French. France denied Moroccans of their independence, and when a group of higher ranking Moroccans advocated for their freedom, the French Resident General sent soldiers into Morocco. Fatima doesn't entirely recollect this event, as she was young, but her mother describes the cause and effect of the time to her: "Mother said that Samir and I were barely four at the time and no one noticed us watching from our gate as the blood-soaked corpses, all dressed in the ceremonial white prayer djellaba, were carried back home. 'For months afterward, you and Samir had nightmares', she said, 'and you could not even see the color red without running to hide.'" (page 24) This is a demonstration of power by the French government that resulted in their feeling of superiority, and the feeling of Moroccan inferiority. On a deeper level, Fatima and her family living inside the harem may not have necessarily been physically hurt by the conflict outside the gates of their home, but surely emotionally scarred. Fatima and Samir may not remember the entire event, but the older men, women, and children will never forget. A direct effect that the event had on Fatima was being further hidden inside the harem; especially after that conflict, there would be practically no consideration of 'helpless women' wandering in the city surrounding the harem. Not only was this unheard of, but on a rare occasion that a harem such as Yasmina's (second wife of Fatima's grandfather) allows them to exit, any woman leaving the establishment must be escorted by her husband or another man. There is a certain feeling of danger that accompanies any woman who may walk in Medina, as the constant discomfort of being caught between conflict exists; in this way, the formation of a harem has the benefit of protection.
ReplyDeleteI think it is true that the conflict between the Moroccans and the French in 1944 led the women of the harem controlled by Uncle 'Ali and Fatima's father to be further isolated. Earlier I wrote about the deep fear that was felt by young Fatima and Samir, but you are right that this feeling must have been equally traumatizing if not more so for the adults. The adult men who are allowed to roam freely in Fez know the true dangers that lie outside their harem walls. It is understandable that they would see these horrors and be afraid for their wives and children, and respond by keeping them hidden away where they can protect them.
DeleteYou answered my question I posted earlier on Zoe's response perfectly, about the effect this scenario had on the older relatives. I suppose I should have gone back and reread the scenario to answer it for myself before commenting, as I see from your quote that Fatima's mother is quoted by Fatima on the subject. I would like to respectfully disagree with your statement that it is a rare occurrence for the women on Yasmina's farm to step outside their harem. Perhaps I read your statement wrong, but am going to argue against the meaning I derived regardless. I spent a long time looking for it, but could not find the exact quote I wanted to use. Anyway, I wanted to point out that at one point Fatima described the doors in the walls of the farm to be easily opened at the push of a hand. The women weren't locked in and could come and go to the surrounding lands as the please. Maybe you were referring to the story about traveling twice a week to a nearby village to clean of, with Krishna as their escort. Even then, I would say he was there merely to stop other men from taking advantage of the women, as Yasmina described to Fatima that these trips were always filled with laughter and jokes.
DeleteAlso, if we return to the matter of Fatima's individual harem establishment, there are some women who would never leave. There are most likely several untold reasons for this, but I can imagine protection and respect being amongst them. On page 7, at the very beginning of the book, Fatima recalls her moments spent with Lalla Mani. "Lalla Mani appreciated being respected, that is to say, being left along to sit elegantly dressed in her bejeweled headdress, and look silently out into the courtyard. She liked being surrounded by heavy silence. Silence was the luxurious privilege of the happy few who could afford to keep the children away." This recollection truly outlines the epitome of a pro-harem women; Lalla Mani believes in keeping the rules straight, and commands respect even from the children.
DeleteEmma's original post captures the struggle for power that is so often seen in history books between territories/colonies and overseeing empires. Often times, at the end of a countries rule, desperate measures are taken to try to retake control. Sadly, most of the time these desperate measures are mass killings or other horrid demonstrations of power. The nightmares that the children had are too common in oppressed territories.
DeleteThe matter of Yasmina's farm is something I would like to address. Yasmina's harem seem to be much more traditional; in it, one man may have many wives, as is the case with Fatima's grandfather, rather than in Fatima's harem, where it is simply a large extended family living together in one house, where each man only has one wife and their children between them. However, despite being more traditional, the women in Yasmina's harem seem to have much more freedom than those in Fatima's. One very direct and obvious comparison I can think of is in chapter 9, where Fatima describes the two polar opposite meal routines. On Yasmina's farm, the women ate when they wanted to. There were no set times like there were back in Fez in Fatima's harem. This is a very simple freedom that many of us often overlook today. Imagine being forced to eat every meal of every day at a set time. This may not be too hard to imagine, what with our busy, modern-day schedules. However, when you add in that your entire extended family must eat with you as well, with no exceptions, and punishing all who are late by forcing them to eat at a sort of dunce table, you start to see how this simple freedom has been ripped away from them. This doesn't just apply to the women, I'm sure at least some of the men in the family are not fond of this eating arrangement. I can attest to living very close to relatives; my entire extended family on my father's side, including all three of his brothers and their families, live within a quarter-mile radius of myself. If I had to eat every meal of every day with them, I would probably go crazy. However, that is not the only example of the immense amount of freedom that women have on Yasmina's farm compared to the women in Fatima's harem. Perhaps more importantly is the fact that the women in Fatima's family have to go through a rather rigorous process just to step outside the harem, and often weren't able to do so. As Yasmina describes in the beginning of chapter 3, on page 21, there was an often "a rather elaborate negotiating process" with Ahmed, their doorkeeper, and even then they did not always get through. Compare this to the unimportant and laid-back comings and goings of women on Yasmina's farm, and you see that the women on the farm had it rather easy. I would say that Fatima's grandfather plays a large role in this freedom, as he is always seen as a rather laid-back man. However, the fact that the farm is located a ways away from civilization also has an important role here as well. In Fez, the women aren't permitted out onto the streets because the men to which these women do not "belong to" are not allowed to look upon them and being in the streets would simply cause too many problems. On Yasmina's farm, there is hardly the chance that a man would stumble upon them and see them without permission. "There were really no limits to what women could do on the farm," writes Fatima on page 55.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that even though they share a husband, these women have more freedom than those living in the harem in Fez. However, I think it is important to note that even though these women are allowed to roam around the farm and do as they please within its boundaries, they still are not free to travel into the surrounding areas. When they are on the farm, any man that may stumble upon them knows that they belong to Grandfather Tazi and will cover his face. However, if they were to go beyond the (mostly symbolic) fence, they would not have this layer of protection. In order to go into town, even for the rather necessary purpose of bathing, they must do so together and on a strict schedule which they do not determine. This shows that even though they are allowed to eat freely, some of their activities are still scheduled and performed in groups.
DeleteThat is true, I had overlooked the fence. In that regard, the women on Yasmina's farm still had much more land to explore and have fun on, whereas in Fatima's harem, the walls of their courtyard make a square sky that is quite small and often referred to in Fatima's writings as a desolate reminder of their captivity.
DeleteYasmina as a character is interesting; if any of the women were to break away from the harem, or at least explore, I feel that it would be her. Fatima noted earlier in the book that her grandfather had a great appreciation for Yasmina's sense of humor because it was so different than the other women he married; her nature in itself deviates from the societal norms in their town.
DeleteYasmina is a powerful role model for Fatima and gives her the beginnings of her own questioning identity. Fatima’s grandmother, while living in the harem and living under the confines of harem traditions, also is able to see that these same traditions in which she has been a part are changing. She foretells that Fatima’s life will be a better one, one where husbands aren’t shared and women have more freedoms. She says that a harem means “misfortune” and that women loses "her freedom of movement” (34). It is clear that Yasmina had a strong influence on Fatima’s own inquisitive nature.
DeleteIn the repressed society, finding sources of inspiration seems to be a miracle, but the women of Fatima's harem make do with what they have. Music from the forbidden radio, even though later suppressed (by the men of the harem), sparked happiness in the hearts of the women who weren't afraid to counter the men's wishes. Water, in the form of "la piscine" (the pool) formed in the central courtyard of the harem also helped the women not only clean the place but also enjoy splashing around and being relatively free. Fatima herself finds inspiration in stories, such as "1001 Nights", which her mother introduced to her. Fatima’s determination to ‘speak in the night’ and to be as powerful as the story's heroine shows how even the smallest influence can make the largest impact on a person. Fatima's cousin, Chama, even told stories for how the harems originally began. She said that ancient countries (not just Morocco) collected women & wives because it was a symbol of power. Since Chama is more anti-harem, she claims that Morocco got stuck in the past, while other countries started gathering weapons for power instead. All these sources of inspiration help the women of Fatima's harem continue on and get the most of their relationships and lives inside the gates.
ReplyDeleteSometimes hope is found in the most peculiar places. The smallest things can be an inspiration to the most hopeless groups of people. For slaves in colonial America, "gospel" songs singing of a better place were what kept them alive and inspired to keep living. For these women, they found their inspiration in their entertainment and their peers.
DeleteIt is human nature to use imagination, dreams, stories and songs as a form of escape. Escape from oppression, or from a circumstance that is intolerable. In Chapter 11 when the women go to the movies they allow themselves to dream, to hope. Escaping from the realities of life via some kind of entertainment has been around forever. So, these women who are “stuck in a dead-end harem” (114) find magic and hope. Even today, a good book or movie allows us to escape from our troubles, suspend reality and allows us the freedom to make our frontiers vanish. Tools such as books and movies should not only let us escape our reality, but give us the strength to change it.
DeleteSo far, Cousin Chama has been the most influential character from my perspective; at seventeen years old, being stuck in the harem isn't her ideal situation. She often argues against the harem rules; she tells Samir and Fatima a story. "'A French king is now ruling in our part of the world... and he has, oh surprise, only one wife! No harem in sight. And that single wife spends her time running in the streets, with a short skirt, and a low neckline. Everybody can stare at her ass and bosom, but no one doubts for a moment that the president of the French Republic is the most powerful man in the country. Men's power is no longer measured by the number of women they can imprison. But this is news in Fez Medina, because the clocks are still frozen in Harun al-Rashid's time!'" While this passage may be lengthy, it displays both Chama's individuality and her thinking on harems and clothing. From this piece, we can see that Chama not only thinks men should't be concerned about having so many wives for power, but also that veiling is a useless practice in other countries. This is a powerful statement by a woman from a harem, as she is stating that a country which is dominant over Fez Medina is still dominant regardless of what their women wear and do.
ReplyDeleteThe vail is heavily commented upon throughout the beginning of the book. I believe that this is a perfect representation of how the times were developing in this part of the world. As the women wore smaller and more revealing headdresses, they began to show more of their faces. This is just like how they started to show their faces more to the public eye. The women began to start dressing differently, more comfortable realistic clothing took the stage. As the headdresses became smaller, so did the grasp on women's rights.
ReplyDeleteThe veil stands as a symbol of the repressed, since it has physical form and obviously covers the faces of the women who are oppressed. However, it is the underlying oppression that is worse, the injustice the women face that is at the root of their oppression. Women were not allowed to be educated, employed, or even walk freely. To fight against the veil will not bring about the larger changes that need to occur for women to have the rights they desire. The veil may have been above the surface, but the issues the veil covered up were just below, waiting to be exposed.
DeleteI agree that the veil is above the surface, and there are many other issues that need to be addresses in that society. However, I think that when a group of people has been oppressed for so long and in so many ways, the small steps (such as refusing to wear the full veil/any veil) are the steps that will lead to unmasking the major issues. The small removal of the veil, for now, is the one of the only steps that the women can take, relatively safely, toward reaching more equal rights and less oppressive issues.
DeleteSadly, not many individuals can physically express their beliefs without being persecuted for their beliefs. Whether it's a headdress, a scarf, or a spaghetti strainer (yes, that's a real thing) not many people can learn to accept what's different from them. But it's not our culture's fault, it's human nature to create an "other" group. There always has to be an "us" and a "them". Our cultural background makes us as Americans think that veiling is weird. Plain and simple.
ReplyDeleteYou make a simple and defined point. I agree. Too often we as people become preoccupied with our differences, and that prevents us from seeing our similarities, and that’s such a shame, since there are so many. We organize ourselves into boxes that fit society’s comprehension, and when society is unable to comprehend, this is when the stereotypes appear. Creating an “other” group, as you said, is a dangerous thing, and can stem from stereotypes, or lead to them. “They forced the Jews to wear something yellow whenever they stepped out into the streets, just as the Muslim men asked the women to wear a veil, so they could be spotted immediately.” (94) This quote shows the separation, the organization, that was forced onto women and Jews throughout history, and continues to be forced to this day.
DeleteIt is sad that people cannot always express their beliefs and their unique characteristics. As Katie pointed out, we do become preoccupied with our differences; we see it all the time, and I think media has a lot to do with comparisons we make to other people. Isn't it our responsibility, then, as human beings to try to dispel the differences and the stereotypes? Sure, we all have our own unique characteristics, but we must learn to be accepting of those differences as opposed to shunning those who are different from us.
DeleteI personally believe that their can not be one cookie cutter descriptor for how the entire human race should live their lives. A person's life in one part of the world is often very different from life in another part of the world. However, I strongly believe that what a person is born as should not shape how their life can be lived. Whether it's the color of your skin, the color of your parents skin, or whether you were born a man or woman. A person should be judged by their beliefs and how they act upon them. All humans are born equal, but after birth, the world shapes them and no one person is the same anymore. Being a man or a woman should not affect how others treat you, it should be the type of man or woman you are that decides how others treat you.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your statement, Hunter. You expressed that very well. How would you suggest that the world moves toward this kind of attitude? How do we, as a society, reach a point where all people/nations can view everyone equally?
DeleteDo think this is a realistic possibility, when our society still looks down upon and stigmatizes certain people?
This is a really great point, I agree. Though I would take it one step further and say that there cannot be one cookie cutter descriptor for anything in life. Everything can be interpreted differently for everyone. Grandmother says that Samir stands up for himself by the use of aggression, and encouraged Fatima to learn defiance and protection by protecting the younger children. Each to his own.
DeleteI agree completely, and you bring out one of the main points I think the author is trying to convey. The fact that people in this society are judged so harshly on their gender, and also how they look at people living in other parts of the world like the germans.
DeleteRather than point out one of the obvious differences from our culture and society, I’d like to elaborate on a similarity. Fatima describes her Aunt Habiba as a storyteller. Aunt Habiba is always the one to attract all of the children of the family to be still long enough for her to intrigue them with her tales. She says that “sometimes we traveled so far that no gods were to be found, only sun- and fire-worshippers, but even they seemed friendly and endearing when introduced by Aunt Habiba. Her tales made me long to become an adult and an expert storyteller myself.” (19) Fatima’s excitement toward her aunt’s storytelling is not foreign to us, since an aspect of our culture is storytelling as well. As a child, most of us are read bedtime stories, teaching lessons too complex for the child’s mind, and plots simple enough to plant the seed of creativity in the same minds. To know that we have not lost this aspect of our culture despite time and location is comforting, and insinuates the idea that, if one aspect of Fatima’s life is so similar to ours, many other aspects of her life could also be comparable to ours. This shows that they may not live in a world quite as different from ours.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring out an interesting point, and I would like to add to it. It seems as if the characters express themselves through their stories, and that is another way they create individuality, and personality. Those stories are a way to show their emotion, and really convey who they want to be in a modest and accepted way
DeleteFatima finds inspiration from her Aunt Habiba, who says, “When you happen to be trapped powerless behind walls, stuck in a dead-end harem, you dream of escape. And magic flourishes when you spell out that dream and make the frontiers vanish, Dreams can change your life, and eventually the world.” (114) Habiba’s words remain with Fatima, with the hope they would motivate her to dream, since “dreams can change your life, and eventually the world”, according to her. The quote shows the the power of thought, and how words can provoke thought, beyond the moment they were said. Fatima was inspired by Habiba’s words, saying “I could make frontiers vanish too– that was the message I got.” (114)
ReplyDeleteI viewed Yasmina, the women in Yasmina's harem, and Fatima's own mother as more influential to Fatima, rather than Aunt Habiba. Aunt Habiba tells more stories than inspirational concepts. Fatima sees the lifestyle of Yasmina, the women in Yasmina's harem and her mother as a difference from the norm. The way the structure is more loose on the farm and the way that Fatima's mother defies the meal times and head scarf wearing are newer concepts that will inspire the way that Fatima will grow up.
DeleteI'm actually making a comment on both Caitlin and Katie's posts in one. I have to agree with Caitlin, Fatima finds more inspiration in Yasmina and the farm girls than her Aunt. Her aunt seems like more of a burden in each of the stories. Every time she opens her mouth something irrelevant to Fatima comes out.
DeleteNow that I have seen all the characters to their full potential, I have to withdraw my previous comment. I agree with Caitlin and Hunter. While storytelling can be inspirational and provoke thought, Aunt Habiba did not do this as well as Yasmina. The quote I used to support my statement, "I could make frontiers vanish too– that was the message I got" (114), better describes how Aunt Habiba empowered Fatima. Yet she didn't quite inspire her.
Delete“Fear of the difference makes people behave in very strange ways.” (94) Fear of change causes people to isolate themselves, to isolate what they can control, so they feel as if they are in control of everything. Out of sight, out of mind. Fear of change causes people to build walls, to make restrictions and limit what is acceptable. Fear of change, is the willingness for everything to remain the same. Sameness is a disease, an epidemic that can easily spread through a population. It is simple to allow no change to occur and stay comfortable where you are, though true strength is formed when change IS allowed, and creates diversity. The walls need to come down, change is good.
ReplyDeleteChange is hard to come by in such a large world. One of the hardest parts about change is that sometimes you make something worse by changing it. Change isn't always what makes the world better. The French invaders were a change for the Moroccan people. If they had taken their walls down, what would have been left to protect them?
DeleteYou make a strong argument, though I'd have to stand my ground. Without change, nothing would ever get done. Without change, it's too easy to say change is unnecessary, because, for the time being, people feel comfortable in comparison to change, which can be so uncomfortable. While change does not always bring around good, as you pointed out, it creates somewhat of a paradox. Life changed for the Moroccan people when the French invaded, but the Moroccan people did not allow life to stay this way. They revolted. This is the beauty of change. Change is constant, why fight it? If change brings about a negative outcome, then CHANGE it. Make a positive outcome.
Delete1.
ReplyDeleteThe individuals can somewhat express their individuality. On Yasmina's farm, the women can wear their outfits in different styles (i.e. holding their dress up with different strap-like fabrics - for easier movement), and they have more freedom to ride horses or even wash dishes in the river. In Fatima's harem, the women, and everyone in general, are more suppressed. The strict meal schedule is an example of this harem being of a fixed structure. Some people, such as Fatima's mother, express their individuality in this harem, while most of the harem conforms to the norms. Fatima's mother does not wear the headscarf, she has her own picnics, and meals/snacks that she can make. The harem does not seem to be a place where individuality is valued. It seems that one person has to express individuality by straying from the norms. Straying from the norms can be challenging, especially when it seems as if you are abandoning your family and lifestyle. That is probably why much of the harem does not express individuality.
I may have missed this in the book, but I was wondering how Fatima's mother was about to get these freedoms of individual expression? Does Fatima's father have a lot of influence in the harem, to get these sort of compromises for his wife?
If she explained that, I must have missed it as well. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, I completely overlooked how Fatima's mother was able to achieve these small victories. I believe it may have to do with the fact that her father is one of only two remaining sons of the original harem, and therefore most likely has some standing in the harem. I also remember that Uncle 'Ali has more standing than Fatima's father, and I think this is due to him being born first. However, another answer I can think of is simply that Fatima's mother does not care what the other harem members think of her. She wants out, she has hope that Fatima's father will eventually give in and move out, and so I believe she feels as though what the other women think of her decisions does not matter. She openly objects to the views of Chama's mother, who is a Lalla, meaning she is higher ranked than Fatima's mother, who is not a Lalla. She isn't concerned about displeasing them, and this, I feel, shows that the women are able to express their opinions, which is at least a small freedom in the harem lifestyle.
DeleteThat is a good point about Fatima's mother not caring about other people's views of her. Would there not still be some amount of fear for her, though? There are many more people, in the harem, who disagree with Fatima's ideas. I, personally, would be concerned that these people, who outnumber me, would turn against my concepts/movements.
DeletePerhaps, because of Fatima's father's influence, Fatima's mother does not have to worry about being outnumbered, along with her natural lack of care toward people's views of her?
I think that the practice of veiling women is, in general, viewed as weird by our society. Our cultural background of not being veiled leads us to see veiling as a strange occurrence. Our view of women, with our backgrounds, is that they are equals to men, in every aspect; clothing, family roles, occupations, etc. This makes the practice of hiding a woman’s face, and not a man’s, seem unrealistic to us. I feel that we, as a society, view the other countries that have women veiled in a respective manner. I feel that we believe that and respect if a woman wants to wear a headdress of some sort, that is acceptable, and ultimately fine, and their choice. However, I see our society as one that would view veiling as unacceptable if the women are FORCED to wear a head covering. We believe in freedom, as a general rule, leading us to see anything forced upon people as a negative.
ReplyDeleteI agree that American culture as a whole views the practice of veiling as very foreign. I also think it is true that most modern day Americans are okay with women choosing to wear a facial covering. However, I am under the impression that many Americans see all women who are veiled as oppressed. Many feel that all women who cover their faces are forced to do so. This is obviously untrue, but the perception exists nonetheless. I also think that our acceptance of veils is made more complicated when it comes to matters of security. The question of whether or not women should be able to wear a head covering while taking their drivers license or passport photos has been the subject of much debate in recent years.
DeleteThe matter of security is a problem for the government to handle and decide upon. Individuals, in their minds, on a daily basis, do not tend to worry about people with head coverings. Is that not super contradictory to have our society view women with veils as oppressed AND as independent people making their own choices?
DeleteWhich side would our society lean toward more than the other?
Or is it possible that our culture is not taught enough about veiled women's situations, so we end up with a blurred, confused position on the matter?
I do not believe that there should be one standard for gender equality throughout the entire world. Maybe some nations can have the same or similar standards for this, however, I believe that each nation should have the gender equality levels that work best for the majority of the nation’s people. Then, the individuals should be permitted to leave the nation and go to one with more/less gender equality - based on what they, personally, prefer. Would our society not be better by giving people the freedom to live in the situations that they desire? To allow the nations to have standards (on gender equality or anything else) that apply and work best for them?
ReplyDeleteThe characters of Dreams of Trespass are heavily suppressed, especially the women. To express their individuality, the women have to come up with creative ideas that don’t go totally against the rules of their society. Some of the things they do include assuming roles while washing dishes in the river, the mother protesting against head veils, dancing their hearts out to love songs on the radio, and through theater. The one that intrigues me is the washing dishes one. These women live in a society where women are expected to work around the house, that is there solitary role. They have to find some type of enjoyment in this often not fun job. So, by washing dishes in the river they get work done but also make it into a sort of game. By assuming roles, they express who they are as people and use it as a way to earn respect. For example, the women who recovers the dropped pots and pans, swimming up stream to return them is showing that she is strong, and earns respect through it.
ReplyDeleteThe dishwashing is a good example of how the women express themselves. I feel that through their creativity, they are creating their own cultural expectations and guidelines. The farm girls sound so free, they are living the lives that they believe they were born to live. Through their freedom, they represent the desires of every woman trapped in the confinement of a city harem.
DeleteThe practice of veiling is not a particularly pretty scene in their society. It represents the cultural attitude towards women and how they are lesser to men. The practice of veiling makes this visible, where the men are clothed the way they want, the women are covered and hidden, as if they are not worthy of attention. This attitude does not please the characters, like the mother. When main character covered her hair in a veil due to being afraid of Hitler, her mother got very angry. She said how she had been fighting veils for so long, and the main character was better off facing Hitler uncovered and proud than covered and weak.
ReplyDeleteThe places characters assert their individuality tends to be more private places, or places at times when there are not as many people around to place guidelines. A prime example of this is the river where they wash the dishes. This is a place where they can do work but also express their personalities through the roles they take in the dish washing. The other place that stands out in my mind is the mens salon when the men are not there. The women go in and turn on the radio, tuning it to music station and dancing, not a care in the world.
ReplyDeleteFatima's story about two very different harems, that of Uncle 'Ali in Fez and the farm belonging to Grandfather Tazi, definitely expanded my understanding of this society. Prior to reading "Dreams of Trespass," I had only a vague idea of what a harem was. As I began to read and my knowledge grew, I began to think that all harems were essentially the same. In my mind, they were large stone buildings which kept the many wives of a few husbands hidden inside. This was obviously a very uninformed idea. No two family units in any culture are alike, and that applies to the practice of living this way as well. Fatima's father and uncle each have only one wife, and the other women living in the harem are simply extended family members. While they do live in a stone fortress, Grandfather Tazi's arrangement is located on a farm. He does in fact have many wives. Just as these two harems are very different, I have come to realize that no two living arrangements in this society are alike.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this post, because I, too, thought a harem was a building to keep the wives of only a couple men in. I have had a similar epiphany with veiling. I previously did not know that veiling was different from wearing a headscarf, because I figured that all forms of women covering their hair or faces were basically the same. I was unaware of just how strongly the practice of veiling was oppressing women, and how it can affect every woman differently than the next. To some, they don't dare speak out, and to others, they never stop talking. You have come to realize that no two living arrangements in the society are alike, and I have realized the differences of veiling and wearing a headscarf, and what it means to every woman.
DeleteOne of the questions I saw on the sheet addresses veiling. Maybe I missed something, but I have not noticed much veiling in neither Fatima's nor Yasmina's harems. At one point, Fatima describes, in chapter 10, being dressed by her mother "in the latest Western fashions" (85), which are not very conservative and do not invoke the idea of oppression. Also in chapter 10, Fatima describes that most of the other youth in the harem dressed in Western style clothes as well.
ReplyDeleteOn Yasmina's farm, the women are even able to alter their clothing (though discreetly) to allow for more movement, making it easier to perform their daily chores.
In conclusion, I do not feel that Fatima has been exposed to veiling yet in her lifetime, and therefore the subject of veiling is not often discussed in her book. This leads me to believe that it wasn't much of a problem, though this assumption is clearly wrong as it still is a problem today in some Middle-Eastern countries. Fatima, however, was not oppressed in this way.
To add a piece to this post-
DeleteOnce again, I overlooked something. I took "veiling" too literally, thinking of the clothes the women had to wear. What I overlooked was how the men kept their women hidden from the world, especially other men. For example, on the rare occurrence that women from Grandfather Tazi's harem come into contact with an unknown male, the male will cover his eyes out of respect. However, the respect isn't simply to the women; it's more to the fact that women don't belong to him, they belong to Grandfather Tazi. Therefore, they're not only being hidden, they are being treated like valuable property. This is reminiscent to the anecdote provided by the author in the beginning of the book, Yasmina's story of how harems formed. Her story described a culture in which women represented power, though only in the way that the more women you had, the more powerful you were. And so gathering women became a sort of sport to gain power, and women became a valuable piece of property. Leaders often had hundreds of wives, showing how powerful they were for being able to gather so many. Though this may not be entirely true, it isn't far off from the truth; perhaps not to how harems formed, but to how harems from the past behaved. The veiling of women doesn't just pertain to the clothes they wear to hide them, but to the walls as well.
Tyler, I'm glad you were able to reflect on your original response, as I was about to pose a similar statement to what you said in additional post. You're right, veiling doesn't have to be, and shouldn't be, taken so literally. I think, in many ways, even today groups of people in the US are veiled for numerous reasons.
DeleteGender equality is such a buzzword these days, and such a broad term for the overall idea of fairness. However, fairness is not defined by equality. Gender equality should not be considered the only method to achieve fairness. What about equity? Equity is giving everyone what they need in order to be successful. Equality is treating everyone the same. Gender equality is treating everyone the same, regardless of gender. The danger in equality is losing sight of our differences in an effort to be treated the same. But our differences are what make us special, so while they should not be limiting, they should be understood, and not forgotten. Gender equity is giving everyone what they need to be treated the same. This means giving women the same opportunities as men, even if it means treating them differently. Gender equality is not the only form of fairness, and this needs to be recognized. There is no international governing body, no one to decide this for the entire world. That’s a good thing. If our differences are celebrated, then we must calibrate fairness to the differences. There should not be one standard for gender equality around the world, there should be gender equity around the world, different for every country, as we as people are all different.
ReplyDeleteI must say that I had to dictionary.com the word equity. At first I thought that you were talking about a financial term. But, once I understood the word you intended to use, I felt that the switch between the word equality to equity was very eye opening. I really like what you said about how differences are what makes us who we are.
DeleteI agree that "gender equity" is a fair situation to hope for, but is highly improbable in most countries, even in the futuristic sense. For societies such as Fez, the men are almost fearful of giving up their hold on women, as it seems like the last shred of control that they have left, considering their vulnerability to countries such as Germany.
DeleteAfter posting, I realized that didn't seem like a complete thought; the control that the men have over women in Fez seems like a symbol for the only thing left in their world that they can control. Countries like France and Germany have the advantage over them, and the only thing that the people seem to be sure of is their ancient societal norms.
DeleteWhen nationalistic ideas came into their society, the people of Fatima’s harem took to these concepts, such as wearing smaller veils. The changes in their society do not often impact specific harems, but rather each individual that decides to take on the new nationalist persona, in some aspects of their life. The events that occur near to Fatima’s harem have some impact, usually on the emotions of people. When the Americans came into Casablanca, for example, may people were taken by confusion and worry because these American soldiers were in a place, away from the German conflict. Overall, I think that this society might be less likely to adapt to changes as our society would, simply because of their strong religious beliefs about tradition.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed that certain female characters in the book, such as Fatima's mother, adopt nationalist practices and ideas. However, I think it is interesting to note that many of the men also label themselves as nationalists. Fatima's father and Uncle 'Ali are just two examples of these men who support nationalist thought and yet still place a strong emphasis on tradition. I noticed this when the women had to attend Sidi Belal's hadra secretly, since all the important men in the area were nationalists and saw possession dances as anti-Islam.
DeleteYou raise a good point about Fatima's father and uncle being "nationalists". Could the two of them, and maybe others as well, be agreeing to nationalist ideas simply to get along with the nationalist people coming into their society?
DeleteIn the harem, emphasis on tradition remains, however certain people (like Fatima's father) claim to side with nationalist tendencies. This almost appears as a form of hypocrisy. , but is that for their own good of getting along with the strong nationalist people?
I'm just curious what your, or anyone else's, take on this is.
You definitely raise a good question of whether the men in Fatima's harem actually agree with the nationalists or are simply trying to conform to the image of the "wealthy and important men." In my opinion, I think it is a little bit of both. Many people who align themselves with a political group do not agree with all of the ideas of that group, but rather a majority. So I think it is possible that Father and Uncle 'Ali do agree with some of the nationalist thoughts, but perhaps not those that contradict tradition. I would also need to learn more about this nationalist group to form a solid opinion on this question.
DeleteI agree that it could be some of both. The men in the harem do seem to pick and choose which nationalistic ideas to side with and which not too. I think that they tend to like nationalist ideas that allow them freedom, as long as the women don't receive freedom or empowerment. The men hold on to some traditional aspects and they use the "nationalist" title as an excuse to continue the traditional suppression of women.
DeleteGender roles tend to vary from society to society. In Fatima’s world, the practice of veiling and expectations of women’s restrictive, tight clothing reflects a sense of control that men carry over women. This culture places the thought that men are more powerful than and have control over women, plus that this is the way life should be, by making up rules for the women to follow with their clothing. This can cause many of these oppressed women to expect to be treated as lesser humans. Some people, like Lalla Mani, conform easily to this confining hierarchy of gender. On the other hand, Fatima’s mother would go against these norms, wearing a smaller veil and denying some traditions, i.e., not eating aside from the large harem meals. Each character responds differently to the constraining clothing rules, differing in reactions because of their individuality, personality differences, and overall life experiences.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI haven't thought of how veiling could be a form of control over the women, but that is an excellent way to put it. I think within most, if not all people, is a need for a certain amount of control in order to feel secure. This may be a stretch, but one could even say that the restrictive dress for women and control for men can be linked to the uncertainty and insecurity in the society at the time.
DeleteI agree, and will refer back to an earlier passage in the book about the supposed start of harem culture as proposed by a relative of Fatima's. The story goes that men made a game of gathering women as women represented power. Though the story has its faults, as it implies that men around the world played this game, it has truth in it; women represented power and were given little rights. They had to take turns, "sharing" the men to whom they were all married, and were treated almost like very valuable livestock.
DeleteI find this book to be interestingly written. I feel that the way that Fatima has integrated stories of her life, along with stories that she was told through childhood develops the story well. Each childhood story is placed with precision to allow the readers to fully understand Fatima’s life. The passage where Mina is sharing the story about her kidnapping, to Fatima, is one of the most influential childhood stories that Fatima added to her memoir. Mina’s story and Fatima’s desire to hide in olive jars shows just how deeply Fatima is impacted by the stories that she hears. Mina’s situation and her reactions to it, along with the other stories told by people of the harem, influenced the young Fatima’s impressionable mind. These passages in the book are vital in character development, in my opinion, because they show how simple stories had a large impact on Fatima. These childhood stories influenced Fatima’s decisions and helped to transform Fatima into the woman she is today.
ReplyDeleteI love that someone mentioned how the book itself was composed. I never really thought about writing about this until I read your comment. Now I'm wishing I would have. I feel that the way the author wrote the book makes it much more enjoyable for the reader, as there isn't as much pressure to follow one specific storyline.
DeleteI agree with you both. I found that the anecdotes provided more of an understanding of the culture around Fatima than one simple story ever could. Through this style, Mernissi was able to address many points of influence of her childhood, something that could not have easily be done over a strict timeline. The different tales allow the reader to immerse themselves is a wide range of aspects of Harem life without, as you stated, feeling pressured to follow a specific and strict storyline. This way, Fatima could outline the important, interesting highlights without wasting her time on the unimportant squabbles in between.
DeleteOnce again, my first post was deleted. So I will try to remake it in it's entirety. As I was rereading the beginning of the book, I realized that there was a certain part of the book that stood out to me. When Fatima was talking about her experiences with Tamou, she seemed really inspired, and that was inspiring to me. "[Tamou] made the other women realize that there were many ways to be beautiful." pg. 55
ReplyDeleteI love how you expressed that seeing someone else inspired, inspired you. I feel as if that is how most of life works. Such as when we do a good deed for someone, we see their joy and feel joy, ourselves, in return. To place a feeling of hope and inspirations in the readers at such an early stage in the book was clever. This allowed the readers to enjoy the feelings that the book was causing them, urging them to continue their reading. In addition, I believe that there will also be Tamou's in our lives, who will inspire us. Perhaps, one day, we will be the inspirational Tamou's of someone's life.
DeleteIn relation to the (beautiful) posts above, I'd like to refer back to page 81, where Fatima hears from her mother, "'One develops the muscles for happiness, just like walking and breathing.'" When I read that paragraph, it forced me to stop and wonder what we take for granted here; happiness comes to us from different sources than for the women in the harem, the same as they receive different sources of inspiration than us. While it's disappointing that their situations haven't improved, it can also be said that the women's ability to find happiness and inspiration is extraordinarily admirable.
DeleteOn page 129 Fatima discusses how the early feminists she was exposed to were very boring. All they could do was write from inside their harems. There was no action that took place. When Fatima describes Chama's story telling, she makes it sound gruelingly awful and repetitive. Also in the same area of the book, Fatima talks about how Morocco's feminists are not developing, there was no action being made. Much cultural progress was halted in this area due to foreigners.
ReplyDeleteBuilding on the last line of your entry, Fatima also mentions that in other regions of the Arab world, such as Egypt, progress is being made towards equality for women much more rapidly and effectively. She feels that her country of Morocco is being somewhat left behind even in their own area of the world. Although foreign presence is definitely a contributor, she says that conflicting ideas about the importance tradition versus modernization amongst the people are also a factor in slowing Morocco's progression.
DeleteFatima remembers her Aunt Habiba say, "'Revolution is liberating women in Turkey and Egypt, and we are left out here, up in the air. Neither part of the tradition, nor fully benefiting from the modernity. Up hanging in the middle, like neglected butterflies." (page148) Chama also referred to their city and the people inside it as "a museum". This is striking, as it shows that Moroccan women are not oblivious to being "left behind", but more so helpless to do anything about their situation.
DeletePrincess Burdur sounds like she should be the next Disney princess. She's like a mix between Aladin and Mulan. Mulan because she dressed like a man to do something that she felt was right and necessary. Aladin because the story is set in an Arab culture, and Princess Burdur had to get out of a marriage she did not actually want to be a part of. We should study Disney movies next. @MrsBelanger
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I would so watch that movie. Disney needs to get on that. I liked how you connected it to Aladdin and Mulan, but I would take it one step further and also connect the story to Merida, from the Disney movie Brave. Long story short, Merida’s parents are ready to marry her off to some prince, forcing her to be a subservient pawn, but she rebels against this and challenges gender roles, as well as forges her own path. Fairly similar to Princess Burdur.
DeleteThe funniest part about the story was that when Princess Budur revealed her gender to Princess Hayat, Hayat didn't punish her or get her in trouble with the other men in the castle. Instead, both women could agree that they didn't love their situation, and therefore manipulated their story in order to change their future by shifting the charade to better suit their wants.
DeleteIn the United States, we like to capitalize on being the “land of the free, home of the brave.” We advertise our acceptance of others, our openness to the many cultures we welcome to our country, which, of course, was built and thrives with immigration, and the diversity it brings. However, despite our efforts to be accepting and open to others, our natural human survival instincts keep us from this. Before I understood the world’s religions, I’ll admit, I would see someone wearing a headscarf and feel less of an automatic preference toward them, and at younger ages of maybe 6 or 7 years old, I would feel anxious or slightly afraid of someone wearing a headscarf. Years later, when I knew very little about the practice of veiling, I believed it was extremely discriminatory toward women. However, this was before I knew that it was expected, a standard in their culture. Our cultural background, especially living in Maine, (the state with the highest percentage of white people) can be quite limited. We feel most comfortable with the familiar, and, as a child, seeing people wearing a headscarf was very unfamiliar to me, and I felt anxious around them. Throughout my reading of Dreams of Trespass, my opinions have not changed, but I have become more knowledgeable about the practice of veiling, and I understand that while veiling is expected of women in their culture, that does not mean it is right.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate to the confusion that we naturally feel towards people who are from different cultural backgrounds than our own. I also remember as a child feeling strangely uneasy around women who were veiled, especially in regards to the men accompanying them. Even today I would react differently to a woman whose face is covered than to someone who dresses like myself. I do not mean this in a negative way, but rather that I would feel curious about both their appearance and their lifestyle. This book has also given me better insight into the lives of Moroccan women, a culture that I had not previously been very familiar with.
DeleteMs. Bennis was greatly influenced by the French, whose presence impacted the style of many women. Ms. Bennis is an example of this, since she wore her hair "platinum-tinted and cut like Greta Garbo's" and often "drove around unveiled in her husband's black Oldsmobile" (180). Changes in the style of society, as the French became more present, affected her, and inspired other women to follow in her footsteps, to trespass continuously, unafraid.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your statement. I also would like to address the fact of the women's individual emotions. You address Ms. Bennis and the French influencing and inspiring other women to trespass. However, I think that it is important to acknowledge that these inspired women already had inclinations or desires to go outside of the norms. I feel that Ms. Bennis and the French were what made the women feel as if they could follow the desires that they already had.
DeleteI found Chama's plays very interesting. Chama, herself, is a very interesting character; she wants her audience to respect her, but she sometimes does not show the same respect to the audience in return. However, that is beside the point. The plays seemed to me at first to be a way for the women to assert their individuality, acting out roles played by women in the real world whom they look up to, such as Asmahan, out of sight of the men who would disapprove. What surprised me was their willingness to seek out men, such as cousin Zin, to play roles in their plays. To the point, I had originally thought the plays went on under cover, out of the way of the men, as a way for the women to have fun, however they seemed actually not to care whether or not the men knew of their plays as they sought Zin to perform roles in these plays I once thought to be secret.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Chama is a complex person, whose actions during her plays are somewhat contradictory. I did not feel that the plays were how the women expressed individuality. I felt that the plays were more of a way for the women to spend time together and work on their solidarity, in a way. The "men", such as Zin, who were in the plays were younger men. The women did not dare to invite the more powerful men of the harem, like Fatima's father or Uncle 'Ali, to participate.
DeleteCaitlin has a good point. Zin, though he's headed in the direction of a higher societal stature, was still asked to participate by Chama. This makes sense, as he didn't yet have any power in the harem to, per say, punish the women for expressing themselves.
DeleteI agree with Caitlin that the women seemed to be joining together rather than expressing themselves as individuals through these plays. However, I think there is more to it than that. In a world without electronics, where only the men could visit the movie theater whenever they pleased, and where most women were illiterate, there were very few forms of entertainment available. These plays were a way for the women to break away from the monotony of harem life and enjoy themselves. I think the older and less traditional women also used stories and acting to teach the younger children, both the girls and Zin, about feminist actions and beliefs.
DeleteGender equality can be held to a standard; “Dreams of Trespass” displays this belief from the perspectives of women who desire to stray outside the oppressed society in which they are physically, emotionally, and socially trapped. Fatima remarked, “The world, Yasmina said, was not concerned about being fair to women.” This statement exemplifies how men were not compliant with gender equality, even though women have fought hard to earn a more equal standard of rights. Fatima speaks of her younger male cousins that must “master at least two cultures” in order to be able to communicate and cooperate in their future workplaces, as good jobs were considered to involve other countries. In this way, compared to the illiterate women, the men of Morocco were becoming more educated; however, despite that the men were continuing to move forwards concerning their possibilities and opportunities, women were held back. Fatima desired to learn to read and write, which she pursued; Chama fell in love with theater and the people involved; Fatmina’s mother loved expressing her beauty through humor and clothing; in these ways, the women broke free from the invisible oppression that held them back. Chama remarked, when the women weren’t initially allowed to go to the movie theater, “‘Who is going to lose in this Arab world if girls and boys are treated equally?’” Her point is excellent; the rest of the world in this time period has given more rights to women, whereas the Moroccan harems involved in this story have “stayed in the past”.
ReplyDeleteFatima’s mother, a woman oppressed by her harem society, is an emotional and verbal rebel during the book; her wearing of the practically clear veil was her version of a personal uprising. The see-through front of the veil caused a slight upset in the male population of the Mernissi harem, as they technically couldn’t argue that the material wasn’t covering her face, but they still proceeded to disagree with her “fashion choice” as the material didn’t completely hide her. In reference to veiling, Fatima’s mother had remarked to Fatima, “Hiding does not solve a woman’s problems.” Throughout Fatima’s upbringing, her mother practically encouraged rebellion, and taught her that wearing a veil didn’t solve any issues. As Fatima remembers, her mother’s triumph at the movie theater (wearing her clear veil) made her the Moroccan equivalent of a ‘femme fatale’, which on the trip to and from the movies she proceeded to imitate. In a city with societal rules that prevent women from expressing themselves in public or at home, Fatima’s mother disobeyed the “natural law” that existed in Fez; not only was this for her own benefit, but also for Fatima’s.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. Fatima's mother was the driving force of rebellion in the harem, especially for Fatima. When Fatima and Samir were worried about their brown-haired appearance, Fatima wrapped a scarf around her head. She did this to hide her hair, and not to hide from men, however Fatima's mother was still outraged. "'Don't you ever cover your head!' Mother shouted, 'Do you understand me? Never! I am fighting against the veil, and you are putting one on!? What is this nonsense?'" As Fatima explains "this nonsense," her mother proceeds to tell her, "'Even if Hi-Hitler, the almighty king of the Allemane, if after you,' she said, 'you ought to face him with your hair uncovered. Covering your hair and hiding will not help. Hiding does not solve a woman's problems.'" Her mother viewed veils as way of hiding from men, and decided that to do so simply put a target on head. Even though it saved you from scorn from the men, it solved none of your problems. Instead, Fatima's mother wanted rebellion; she wanted women to face men, hair uncovered, and demand their rights. She was a fighter, though not with her fists, but with the clothes she chose to wear. I am amazed at how simple it had been for the women to rebel; maybe they got punished, but all they had to do was put on a different set of clothes than is the norm. The structure with which the men built their society was so frail that a missing veil could somehow topple the whole system.
DeleteAunt Habiba was one of the characters in “Dreams of Trespass” that really spoke out about her anger at their societal entrapment; Fatima’s mother and Chama also voiced their opinions and feelings, though rarely in front of the men of the harem. On page 147, Fatima remembers “hem”, which she describes as an unexplained depression. However, people outside of Fez could see easily that the depression is caused by their contained environment. Rebellion practically seemed to cure “hem”; several women in the harem, including Habiba, when feeling affected by “hem”, would climb up to “the forbidden terrace” and sit. They would sit in the silence, which could be called symbolism. In order to “cure their depression” that was caused by being trapped, they would “rebel” in small ways, including climbing to a dangerous height where only the men were supposed to go. From this “forbidden” position, they could see over the walls; it’s as if the view of the outside world would temporarily solve their emotional distress.
ReplyDeleteOn page 153, there is the line: "Because of Lalla Mani's attitude, Aunt Habiba always embroidered classical designs when down in the courtyard, and kept her big, winged birds to herself, up in her private room." This is said in regard to Aunt Habiba stitching large birds with wings stretched out aggressively, as if in flight. Clearly these designs would not have been accepted by the men or higher up women of the family because they suggested thoughts about escape. I think this relatively minor event in the book is important in showing how the women expressed their individuality. Even though Aunt Habiba is participating in an activity that is allowed, she is still altering it to create her own private art form. She is expressing both her creativity and her struggles in a similar way to people in our own society, by creating art.
ReplyDeleteI am conflicted about whether or not there should be one worldwide standard for gender equality. Firstly, I think this idea is impossible to actually achieve. There are so many deep rooted differences between places and cultures that one standard could not be put in place. I also strongly disagree with the idea that our particular culture should be forced on unwilling peoples. As an American female who believes that women should have the same opportunities as men, it is hard for me to accept that women in some (less equal) cultures are happy with the way their society works today. However, I know that these women do exist, those like Lalla Mani who prioritize traditional beliefs. Why should these people have to change their ways simply because people like me see them as oppressed? On the other hand, there are both men and women in those same nations who feel that women should have equal rights. In the end I think that each individual culture has the right to decide what level of gender equality works best for them, even if I do not agree with their decisions.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should not force our opinions our on other cultures around the world, however I disagree with your statement that cultures should be able to decide the level of gender equality that "works best for them." Yes, it is extremely difficult and nearly impossible to achieve total equality, but this idea would solve no problems, and instead of moving forward, we are, in a sense, stuck in a rut, thought in this case we are stuck willingly. However, the women in these cultures who do feel oppressed will forever be trapped. Imagine never being able to leave your house on account of your father's fear you might encounter a boy. You'd never be able to travel anywhere, not even to school. There are women in Fatima's book who are able to express themselves and are escaping their oppression, women such as Asmahan, thought she died in a mysterious car accident. Women like Lalla Mani may choose to remain "oppressed," as we would see it, and though this system is perhaps more unstable than the existing one set on veils, it is necessary that women around the world are given the same opportunities as men.
DeleteFatima expresses that in her particular society, veiling is used to hide women's bodies from men. She has been told that men cannot handle seeing beautiful women unveiled, and if that were to occur on a large scale, absolute chaos would ensue. I think this isa good representation of the cultural attitudes that are prevalent in this place and time. This leads to the female characters feeling restricted and ultimately trapped by their veils. It is true that some people prefer to hide themselves simply by the nature of who they are, but the majority of people everywhere are not like this. As humans we like to be free, no matter who is watching us.
ReplyDeleteI remember a passage in the book about the hudud, the sacred frontier, pertaining to all members of the society. Though I agree that it should, the hudud prevents men from looking upon women who are not theirs, and the veils prevent the men from doing so, or perhaps make it that much easier to resist. However, how are the men supposed to find love outside of their harem? Are there exceptions? Of course, there are most likely arranged marriages in which the hudud is necessarily and ceremoniously crossed in order to allow a man and a woman to get married, even though they are not allowed to look upon each other yet. It's just very interesting and I guess I wish I had a better understanding of this piece of their culture.So yes, I agree with you. We want to be free to find our own love, and women want to be able to express themselves outside of their harems.
DeleteThe story of the two princesses, Budur and Hayat, goes to show an important aspect of the culture to which they belong. The women, though royal, have little to no status without their husbands. "...when Chama, as Princess Budur, started reflecting out loud about the solitude and the powerlessness of a women who suddenly finds herself without a husband." (140). If it were revealed that Princess Budur was now husbandless, she would be unsafe; the men would begin to "lust after" her, and she would find herself in a position of little dignity. Some of the women in Fatima's harem, as mentioned earlier in the book, found themselves in the family at the standing of relatives who had lost their husbands. They were not able to support themselves, and so had to find a place that could. In other cultures, such as in England and the Monarchy (though the Queen and other royalty pose quite solely as ceremonial relics with very little political power), a women without her husband is still held to high prestige. When thinking of England, people often think of the Queen. However, they do not often think of the King, whoever he was. Though this was not always the case, and the "royal bloodline" was always passed down through the eldest son even if there was an older daughter, it goes to show the progress of a portion of the world and the extent of the oppression in others.
ReplyDeleteI found something incredibly interesting and seemingly important around page 150. Samir, Malika, and Fatima were so uneducated about their own lives that they had to retreat into secrecy to ask questions such as, "'Is a harem a house in a which a man lives with many wives?'" (150) in order to gain a basic understanding of their very own culture. The nature of their questions, granted, are not easy to answer; perhaps not even by the older women in the harem. In example, the above question has many answers; it is sometimes, and, in the case of Samir's and Fatima's families, sometimes no. There is a range of definitions for their culture, but this still should have been taught to them as they are an important piece of this culture; they are its future.
ReplyDelete