Woman At Point Zero
• Saadawi fascination with killer
• Killing as an act, what makes her interested?
• First 10 pages, fascination with women in prison
• Symbol of prison: entrapment
• Neurosis women that were traumatized—her fascination, how does Firdaus fit
that agenda?
• Is Firdaus apart o 20 women, or not? How does this fit her research, and
attachment and detachment as subject?
• To what extent can we trust Nawal Saadawi as a narrator?
• Does Nawal Saadawi see herself in Firdaus?
• Firdaus victim, but also person who dictates how her story will be told.
• Nawaal Saadawi victim of circumcision and so is Firdaus
Symbolism
• Eye symbol-
• Names symbolism- Bayoumi (common Egyptian name),
• Diae (friend/client of Firdaus, means light in Arabic or englightens
something. He was the light bulb in her life.),
• Maizouk (somebody who has enough money, but is also blessed to have
enough money in his life). He gets money haram way through pimping,
God doesn’t give him the money,
• Iqbal: mother figure to Firdaus she is the teacher. Ambiguous love
relationship, only person who doesn’t abandon Firdaus. Acceptance is
what her name means in Arabic, is it synonymous with how Firdaus is , or
accepting of the fact that she has problems in her life, but has potential.
She accepted her and suddenly she disappears without much detail, part
of acceptance.
• Sharifa: Arabic name means honoured. She is most ironic character. She
was traumatised by men, but is well off and is content. Success story of
prostitute. She has power struggle with men, gets raped when someone
tries to take Firdaus after her.
• Firdaus- her name is highest part of jannah
• Nile- always there. Whether she was raped, traumatized or having fun in
her new life. The Nile is a constant. It is the longest running river. It is a
symbol of Egypt, no matter what happens in Egypt, Egypt will always stay
More
Less
