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Office of Women in International Development, Michigan State University
The works of a number of women writers in the last 20 years in the Arab world have displayed a tendency towards feminism, writing negatively of the situation of women in Arab society and attempting to create heroines that break away from the old molds in which society had cast them. Starting with Mary Daly's definition of the metapatriachal journey, the article traces the path that five major Arab women writers take on their way to feminism: Nawal el-Saadaw, Ilfa al-Idilbi, Qamar Kaylani, Ghada al-Samman, and Etel Adnan. The paper posits three stages in the realization of the Self, and explores how each writer passes through these stages. Using this schema, the author realizes that none of these writers, except Ghada al-Samman, could be said to have successfully reached the last stage, and while acknowledging their contribution, argues that all five writers lack the presentation of a positive alternative to present as a model to the female reader who is looking to them for guidance in breaking away from patriarchal restraints.
Includes bibliographical references (page 8).
East Lansing, MI : Office of Women in International Development, Michigan State University, ©1987
Working paper (Michigan State University. Office of Women in International Development) ; #158