All posts by m.mohamed

“In Camera” by Nawal el Saadawi

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Nawal El Saadawi’s “In Camera” is all about Leila Al-Fargani’s courtroom trial. As a female in a male dominated world she is constantly describing her experience to that of an animal. For example, Leila states “for a long time she’d been a small animal inside a dark and remote cave and when they addressed her, they only used animal names” (1108). This not only demonstrates the low value society places upon women but it also shows how little Leila feels of herself. She is on trial for “acting out” against the president by referring to him as stupid. However, it was Leila who was abused, raped, and mentally destroyed. Yet, society sees her as the criminal and not the victim. This story written by an Egyptian author and this story encompasses the nature of the political system in Egypt. It captures the essence of what the Egyptian government prioritized and valued, males. What’s upsetting about the situation is that Leila is not even acting out. She is simply stating her point of view, a freedom of expression, that should be a God given right for everyone in the world.

As an Egyptian female I can personally relate to what is being discussed in the novel as it still happens on a daily basis in Egypt. Many females are taught to be obedient to men as a form of respect. The ideology that women are suppose to do what men say is something that is thoroughly believed to this day so when a woman acts out strong repercussions occur. As a country that is trying to develop the fact that women get abused constantly by their spouse is unacceptable. This narrative tries to bring awareness to the issue as the descriptive language allows the reader to visualize the graphic scene Leila had to go through. This tale is meant to spark discussion and bring light to topics like rape and physical abuse since they are seen as controversial and usually happen under closed doors. It’s time to make women understand that there is no shame for they are the victim in the situation. There is no need for Leila and other abused victims to feel like animals. Women have a mind of their own and can do what is best for them unlike animals that are controlled by human beings. “In Camera” attempts to break barriers, tell women that they are worth more than their reproductive organs, and that they should not take abuse from anyone. It is the men who do this that are stupid, not the women who face this heinous act.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Chapter X – End

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Frederick Douglass’s, Narrative of the Life of  Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, touches upon some of the most life changing events and moments of his life. Slavery as everyone knows was a time in American history where African Americans were forced to work for white people and were treated like animals. This is evident in the beginning of  Chapter X when Douglass states his experience with Mr. Covey. Douglass’ first week as being a slave for Mr. Covey he got a “severe whipping, cutting [his] back, causing the blood to run, and raising ridges on [his] flesh as large as [his] little finger” (262). The narrative uses chilling words and phrases to give the reader a feeling and image of how brutal whippings were as a slave. Douglass was signed to work for Mr. Covey for one year. His first six months were atrocious, harsh, and unmanageable. His spirits weakened which included a decline in his desire to read and even to survive. To read something so devastating from someone like Frederick Douglass that people see as a shining light in stopping slavery goes to show that even life gets to the best of people.

After those six months something clicked in Douglass that gave him the courage to stand up against his master. This turning point was caused due to Douglass being pushed to his breaking point where it was either to die while working or push forward and fight for his rightful freedom. Thus he “seized him (Mr. Convey) with both hands by his collar, and brought him by a sudden snatch to the ground” (268). This irreversible moment stands out like no other. It’s not often that one hears about slaves being bold against their owners since it is their owners who provide them with work, food – on some days, and a place to live. Most African Americans at the time were either struggling to survive due to hunger and had no education so to be a slave was the chance to enter a white community in hopes to secretly learn how to read and to get out of the South. Even though Mr. Convey treated Douglass with no care to his health and being there were still instances where Douglass called him a good man for he sympathized with Mr. Covey’s lack of wealth and inability to form a proper family.

Douglass is a selfless being who did not let the worst of times get the best of him. Through vile beatings, cold nights, hungry days, and tearing of clothes he preserved like no other. His “long-crushed spirit rose, cowardice departed, bold defiance took its place” (268) and made it clear that “to succeed in whipping, must also succeed in killing me” (268) in which Douglass refused to allow to happen. He’s more than an inspiration. He is someone that people look to in hard times and question what it must took to be that brave. How far does one must be pushed for fighting for what is right no matter the consequences? For Douglass, it was a matter of eating or get eaten and he did not go down without fighting for his life, education, and freedom.