Woman+at+Point+Zero

=Teaching //Woman at Point Zero// by Nawal El Saadawi:= =Addressing the Challenges of Authenticity and Capturing the Egyptian Culture=

//[|Woman at Point Zero]// is Nawal El Saadawi’s novel about a woman she meets in Qanatir Prison while studying the degrees of neurosis of imprisoned Egyptian women. Upon her visit, Saadawi is compelled to meet with one specific women. Firdaus, who is sentenced to die for killing a man, awaits her death in a small cell void of anything but four cement walls. When asked if she will see Saadawi, Firdaus blatantly refuses. Saadawi does not give up and eventually Firdaus agrees to speak with Saadawi and tell her story. Firdaus’ tale, as told by Saadawi in the book, sends the reader into the world of an innocent child born into a small village, sent to school, and later sells her body in the streets of Cairo. In the end, society sentences her to death for killing her pimp--the most severe punishment to most, but a welcomed path to freedom to Firdaus, for it is only through death that she can finally be liberated. //Woman at Point Zero// is not an easy read in that for most, women especially, the book is strikingly frank and incredibly troubling.

Through Firdaus, readers encounter the political, societal, and emotional issues facing women in modern Egypt: female genital mutilation (FGM), few rights in and out of the home, sexual and domestic abuse, womanhood in the Islamic world, prostitution, and much more. In this article, I address two challenges that come with teaching the book: 1) dealing with the question of authenticity and 2) contextualizing for Understanding, which deals with the aforementioned issues facing women in Egypt.

**Challenge: Dealing with the Authenticity of the Novel and Looking Beyond Firdaus**
The first line of the book is “This is the story of a real woman” (Saadawi 1). However, this is a novel, meaning that some parts of it must be fiction. So the challenge for students will be what and what not to believe. It is our duty as teachers to help them through this and see that the book, actually, is true in ways beyond its main character’s experience.

Yes, Saadawi went to the prison to conduct research about neurosis in incarcerated Egyptian women; in fact, her entire introduction to the novel tells readers these things. Yes, she met a woman named Firdaus who did murder a man and told of her life’s story to Saadawi. Nevertheless, Sadaawi takes it upon herself to fictionalize Firdaus’ experience. Regardless of the label of novel, this story is unfortunately so true in many ways. Sadaawi certainly has a political and feminist agenda and I’m assuming she wants this book to make a clear statement to leaders about the treatment of women in Egypt. Several sources say that even with some new women’s rights groups and national laws concerning the rights of women, Egyptian women are still struggling against oppression. And this is the biggest truth beyond Firdaus herself. She’s a symbol and despite her story being fictionalized, it represents what many young females experienced or are experiencing.

Ideas:

 * **Research**: As a group, list several of the problems Firdaus faces being born a woman. Then, have students look into these past and current struggles of women in Egypt. What is happening to curb the problems Firdaus faces? What is Saadawi’s role in this?
 * **Study the Author**: The authenticity of the text can also become apparent after studying Saadawi and her other works. Look into interviews with the author and other pieces she’s written. She is a scholar and an advocate for women’s rights and must be examined in order to comprehend the richness of her message in this book. Her [|website] itself is a great resource.
 * **Response Journals**: For some students, this story will be difficult to believe in that a reader may not be able to imagine this actually happening. Have students keep a response journal that questions parts of the book and Saadawi’s purpose in writing it.
 * **Visualize**: Help students [|see] the streets of Cairo and the women of Egypt. Many students will imagine a Cleopatra-esque female as the main character. Showing images and other media will create a clearer picture of modern Egypt for students.
 * [|Discussion Questions]: Using discussion questions students answer as they read can lead to meaningful discussion later in class.

Challenge: Capturing Egyptian Culture and Understanding the Oppression of Egyptian Women
I’m sure if teachers asked their students what they know about Egypt, many will associate the country with the civilization of ancient Egypt. They may visualize the pyramids and Cleopatra, and perhaps hear the song “Walk Like an Egyptian” play in their heads. Students will most likely need some updating into modern Egyptian culture, along with its rich history before starting the novel. In that, it is imperative to explore the women’s rights issue, maybe by putting it into perspective with the Women’s Rights movement of the United States. This way, students can begin to grasp the setting and situation of the novel.

Although modern readers may never truly understand Firdaus’ struggles, it is imperative to contextualize her situation. What she experiences will be truly foreign to many readers, (as most of our students will not see prostitution as an option) and teachers should try to present the context with Saadawi’s purpose in mind. The oppression of women as represented in the book is startling. Still today women are fighting for equality and Saadawi is a large part of the battle and so is this book. Allow students to step into the Egyptian culture of Firdaus and see how killing her pimp brings true freedom.

Ideas:
> Look at the Islamic Faith in Egypt: Help students see that the faith represented in the book, may not be the same as other Islamic practices around the world, just as not all Christians practice their faiths in the same manner.
 * **Brainstorm What Students Already Know**: This will open the door for conversation and lecture/note taking.
 * **Have Students Analyze the Role of Prostitution**: This will set the class up for a meaningful debate. Consider asking students if Firdaus is better off as a prostitute or in her more “respectable” job. Once students develop and support their opinions, have them split up into two sides. A well-organized, meaningful discussion is likely to ensue. Have students also consider how this conflicts with Islamic faith.
 * **Get to Know the Author**: Take the time to tell students about Saadawi’s work and discuss her purpose in writing this novel. Above is a link to her website.
 * **Current Situation of Women in Egypt**: Women like Saadawi (and men like her husband, too) are fighting for women’s rights. Have students explore through research and writing what changes are happening in the realm of women’s rights in Egypt and how the government is playing a part. Seek out [|stories of women in Egypt] to help guide students. See below for more resources.
 * **Addressing the Issue of** **FGM:** Although a difficult subject, FGM is a large aspect of the oppression of women in this book, in Egypt and in other places in the world. A deeper look into this custom is worthy, especially at the college level. Look at this from Firdaus’ perspective: why might this have led her into prostitution? Look at her sexual encounters where men ask her if she is enjoying herself. Is this the highest level of oppression?
 * **Find a Female Speaker**: Students will benefit from bringing in a speaker who knows the Egyptian culture well and can speak to the truth of the novel and the current situation in Egypt. Take some time to look on campus, or maybe teachers will have someone in class who is willing to speak.

===[|The Odyssey Africa Stage]--offers an interview, personal bio, and book excerpts [|"Articles About Saadawi"] -- exactly that: articles===

[|"Divorced From Justice: Women's Unequal Access to Divorce in Egypt"--]excellent article with much information on women's rights.
===[|"Female Circumcision is Nearly Universal in Egypt..."]--an article from 1998 examining FGM in Egypt and other countries near there.=== ===[|"Violence Against Women in Egypt"] is an incredibly thorough report prepared for The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.===

[|"Unfulfilled Promises: Women's Rights in Egypt"] is an excellent article by two scholarly researchers.
===[|"Eygpt: The Problem With Wearing a Veil"] is a June 2007 article examining a very current women's issue in Egypt [|"Prostitution"] examines the laws of prostitution all over the world. Scroll down for Egypt.=== ===[|National Council of Women] website (translated into English)===

//[|Women in Islam]// is a site that explores several countries; scroll down to Egypt.

 * Also check out the other wiki on this book by Michelle Ringle-Barret!**

//by// //Nicole Ziegler//