Zahraa Abdalqader Fahad

MA Candidate

Review on Patriarchal Oppression in Palestinian Society Through the Institution

of Marriage in the Novel Of Noble Origins by Sahar Khalifeh

Introduction:

The title of the article is "Patriarchal Oppression in Palestinian Society

Through the Institution of Marriage in the Novel Of Noble Origins by Sahar
Khalifeh." The author of the article is Priyanka Priyanka. The full citation of the
article is "Priyanka, P. (2024). Patriarchal Oppression in Palestinian Society Through
the Institution of Marriage in the Novel Of Noble Origins by Sahar Khalifeh. GEMA
Online® Journal of Language Studies, 24(1), 234-236. Retrieved from
http://doi.org/10.17576/gema-2024-2401-14."

The purpose of the article is to examine and dissect the role of the institution
of marriage in perpetuating patriarchal oppression in Palestinian society, as depicted
in Sahar Khalifeh's novel "Of Noble Origins."

The research question of the article is how the institution of marriage in

Palestinian society supports and upholds patriarchal and neopatriarchal values, and
how women in Khalifeh's novels respond to and resist these oppressive ideologies.
This research question is interesting and important because it sheds light on the
gender dynamics and power structures within Palestinian society, specifically
focusing on the impact of marriage on women. The article aims to explore these issues
and provide a deeper understanding of the patriarchal norms prevalent in the society.

The thesis statement is not stated in introductory paragraph, but it can be

inferred that the main points to be discussed in the body of the article will revolve
around the examination of patriarchal norms, the resistance of Palestinian women, and
the portrayal of these themes in Sahar Khalifeh's novels.

Body:

The article analyzes the novel "Of Noble Origins" by Sahar Khalifeh,
focusing on the institution of marriage and its patriarchal nature in Palestinian society.
The author uses a literary analysis approach to dissect the themes and characters in the
novel, examining how male dominance and gender discrimination are portrayed.

The results of the analysis reveal that the institution of marriage in Palestinian
society upholds patriarchal and neopatriarchal values. The author highlights how
women are oppressed through customs and traditions imposed on them, rather than
solely due to religious factors. The novel demonstrates the multi-level patriarchal
domination that Palestinian women face and explores their resistance to sexist
ideologies.

The main findings of the article emphasize the condemnation of traditional

marriage by Sahar Khalifeh in her novel. It underscores the oppressive nature of
patriarchal norms and customs in Arab society and how they contribute to the
subjugation of women. The article argues that the study of Khalifeh's narratives
provides insights into male domination and the strategies employed by women to
challenge and respond to patriarchal oppression.

The strengths of the article lie in its comprehensive analysis of the novel,
exploring the themes of gender discrimination and patriarchal domination. It offers a
nuanced understanding of the complex social dynamics within Palestinian society.
The article also sheds light on the literary contributions of Sahar Khalifeh as a
feminist writer, highlighting her efforts to challenge and critique the androcentric
order.

One limitation of the article is its narrow focus on a single novel by Sahar
Khalifeh, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to a broader context.
Additionally, the article does not provide a detailed discussion of the methodology
used for the literary analysis, which could have enhanced the rigor of the study.

From the article, readers can learn about the significance of examining
literary works to understand and critique societal issues such as patriarchy and gender
discrimination. The analysis of Khalifeh's novel offers valuable insights into the
experiences of Palestinian women and their struggles against oppressive customs and
traditions. I would recommend this article to students interested in feminist literature,
gender studies, and Middle Eastern societies.

Quotation/example: "In her novels, Khalifeh depicts Israeli-Palestinian

conflict and the effect of Israeli Occupation on Palestinians. She throws light on the
multifaceted oppression that women endure under Israeli Occupation. Apart from her
engagement with the issue of Israeli Occupation, Sahar Khalifeh focuses on the issues
of gender discrimination in various arenas of the society" (excerpt from the article).
This quote illustrates the breadth of topics addressed by Sahar Khalifeh in her works
and highlights the relevance of her narratives in exploring social and political issues.
Conclusion:

To sum up In this article, we have examined the institution of marriage in

Palestinian society and its patriarchal nature as portrayed in Sahar Khalifeh's novel
"Of Noble Origins." We have explored how Khalifeh's narratives shed light on the
oppressive customs and traditions imposed on women, rather than religion itself. The
paper has analyzed the patriarchal and neopatriarchal values upheld by the institution
of marriage, highlighting male dominance in public spheres. Additionally, we have
discussed the ways in which Palestinian women resist and challenge these sexist
ideologies..

For my final judgment ,This article provides valuable insights into the
patriarchal oppression present in Palestinian society and the role of the institution of
marriage in perpetuating gender discrimination. By examining Sahar Khalifeh's
literary works, the author effectively demonstrates the multi-level patriarchal
domination and the ways in which women respond to it. The article contributes to the
understanding of the cultural and social dynamics that shape gender roles and
inequalities in Palestinian society.

From this article, l learn that the institution of marriage in Palestinian society
plays a significant role in maintaining patriarchal and neopatriarchal values. Women
are subjected to oppressive customs and traditions that restrict their freedom,
perpetuate discrimination, and reinforce male dominance. Sahar Khalifeh's novels
shed light on the various forms of oppression experienced by Palestinian women,
including gender segregation, domestic violence, limited educational opportunities,
and control over their bodies and sexuality.

By critically examining the institution of marriage and its impact on gender

dynamics, the article opens avenues for further exploration and understanding of
patriarchal structures in Arab societies.