One of the biggest Western misconceptions of Middle Eastern women is that they are powerless and often oppressed by men, the government, and Islam. The book The Naqib’s Daughter sheds some light on such misconceptions. The book gives readers a greater and deeper insight on the many roles of women that existed in Egypt during the French Campaign under Napoleon. The author, Samia Serageldin, includes different female characters with unique societal roles to show readers that women were not monolithic to the extreme that Westerners often believe. By analyzing some of those female characters, it can be seen that although the roles of women varied greatly during the time period, women were not powerless and oppressed by society, to the extent that has often been alleged.
One of the main female characters in The Naqib’s Daughter is Sitt Nafisa. She is the perfect example of how women in Mamluke-era Egypt could hold power in a society dominated by men. During the Mamluke-era, the malukes were men who were considered true lords, and held prestigious positions in the military, and in society. Therefore, the men took care of everything and it was rare for a woman to have much influence outside the household; however, Sitt Nafisa proved otherwise. For instance, Sitt Nafisa supervised trading operations of “her wikala, the caravanserai at Bab Zuweila” and often oversaw the construction of charitable water works, both of which Westerners would not think Middle Eastern women had the power and right to do (9). Moreover, Sitt Nafisa demonstrates how some women held great prestige in society. Her prestige can be seen in many parts throughout the book, such as when an angry mob was crowding around Shaykh Bakri’s household; “the mob froze, and turned to the speaker, a veiled lady riding on a mule…it’s Sitt Nafisa! The furious shouts died down to angry lowing, then shamefaced muttering,” (83). In this particular part, it is incredible to note how the presence of a woman was able to bring a mob down. The mob obviously respected Sitt Nafisa and viewed her as a religious, pious woman. Therefore, when she arrived at the scene, they realized that what they were doing to the Shaykh was extremely bad, and so they immediately stopped. Another instance where Sitt Nafisa demonstrates how some women held prestige in society is when Napoleon sent the emissary of the French to speak with her first. Normally westerners would think that a great leader such as Napoleon would negotiate with the Egyptians through the Mamlukes or other powerful men, and not through a woman. Although Napoleon did that because the Mamlukes were in hiding, the situation challenges the misconception that women were not prestigious, especially when the emissary referred to Sitt Nafisa as “a lady of great heart and superior intellect, a person of the utmost influence in this city” (28).
Furthermore, another main female character in The Naqib’s Daughter is Zeinab, who represents a different side to the roles of women in society; the educated, non-working, and pampered housewives. Women such as Zeinab, would have private teachers educate them when they were young girls, and then would get married once they reached puberty. Such women would also often hear the news of the country through their maids and servants. For instance in the beginning of the book, Zeinab would ask her dada to explain to her how the French were like; ” Dada, what manner of men are they? Are they reported to be very beautiful?” (35). Moreover, women such as Zeinab would not have much influence outside their households and they would have their servants and maids do everything for them; the maids would dress them while the servants would run the errands for them. Examples of this can be seen in different parts of the book such as when Zeinab was getting dressed to go to the Institute for the first time; ” The maid piled Zeinab’s heavy hair up on the back of her head and tied it with pale green ribbons, then loosened some strands over her forehead…,” (76). The main role of women such as Zeinab was to love, pamper, and entertain their husbands, while having children to carry the husband’s family name; ” When she heard his firm step approaching along the loggia, she had floated gracefully to her feet exclaiming, “Ah mon ami!” And stood there waiting, arms outstretched, her gaze holding his with a tender smile, giving him time to admire her elegant figure,” (158).
Another female character that can be analyzed in The Naqib’s Daughter is Zeinab’s wet nurse, the dada. She represents the role of the uneducated, working, lower class women in a Middle eastern society. According to Leila Ahmed, the author of Women and Gender in Islam, a woman’s social class was a pivotal determinant of the roles and rights that a woman would have in society (Ahmed, 103). This can be seen in many parts throughout The Naqib’s Daughter, such as the part when the dada first tells Zeinab about the French; ” The barber tells me they do not shave their heads or pubic hair. They have no modesty for their body, ” (35). In that part, it can be inferred that the lower class women were allowed to wonder around the markets and learn about the news of the country from different street conversations; however, other women, such as Zeniab and Sit Nafisia, would not be allowed to do so because they were in a higher social class than the regular people on the streets. Moreover, Westerners often have the misconception that women are not allowed to leave their household; however, the dada challenges the misconception when she goes to work at Zeinab’s house after tensions between the French and the Egyptians get worse. The dada tells Zeinab “I had the Devil’s own time getting here; there is a curfew…,” which emphasizes how women were still allowed to leave their homes, even during tough and dangerous conditions (90).
Westerners often have very strong misconceptions regarding women in Middle Eastern countries. Most of these misconceptions revolve around women being oppressed and robbed of their rights. In the book The Naqib’s Daughter, readers are able to see how misguided some of these misconceptions are, by looking at the different female characters; women actually had more freedom and power than what is believed. However, the role they played in society as well as their socioeconomic status was crucial in determining the extent and dimension of the power and freedom they enjoy.