What makes a hero? Were are so used to seeing what a hero is suppose to look like or how they should act, but to be one is truly another story. It made me think of females as heroes, and why is it that their now shown saving the day, yet still hidden in the shadows. Of course there always is superwoman, but without even knowing what she really does, even I just assumed she is just a symbol for an attractive hero in tights. Were not always exposed to such heroic stories, especially with women sadly, but recently I read a book that fiction it may be, A thousand splendid suns simply blew me away!
The story of 2 remarkable strong women named Mariam and Laila living in Afghanistan who are brought together under unfortunate desperate circumstances. With Mariam being nineteen years older than Laila, they both are sister wives of a man who takes them in during a war. Both of their pasts are completely different. Mariam, being a poor woman who grew up in a small house abandoned by her father, and Laila a financially stable girl with a passion for education. The story reveals two women, Laila actively allowed to speak her mind and encouraged to be a strong woman in the Afghan society, and Mariam not allowed to be educated what so over. When both of them are forced into marrying a man they don’t desire neither of them can understand why they are brought into this situation. But both women begin to realize that they have more in common than just an inhumane manipulative husband Rasheed, whom they were both forced to marry in their teens. During the bloody wars in Afghanistan, as women they are taken away all their rights. The Tailban makes sure that women know what their place is in the country.
You will not, under any circumstances, show your face. You will cover with burqa when outside. If you do not, you will be severely beaten.
You will not wear charming clothes.
You will not speak unless spoken to.
You will not make eye contact with men.
You will not laugh in public. If you do, you will be beaten.
You will not paint your nails. If you do, you will lose a finger.
Girls are forbidden from attending school. All schools for girls will be closed immediately
Women are forbidden from working.
If you are found guilty of adultery, you will be stoned to death.
Listen. Listen well. Obey.
Until one day when Rasheed’s physical abuse went a little too far and came close to taking away Laila’s life. It was than when Mariam did perhaps the only right thing to do when someone’s life is at risk. Mariam saved Laila by killing Rasheed with a shovel before he could kill the young girl. And of course, she was the hero and stopped such a violent action being taken place in such a misogynistic society. Ofcourse, due to her saving another WOMAN and killing a MAN, she had to be put to death. What is sad is that religion is used and manipulated in an entirely wrong way. That due to “religion” Matriam had to be put to justice. It’s not even about gender at this point, is simply about saving an innocent life. I truly believe we live in a society where both woman and men are acknowledged fairly for their heroic acts, but this doesn’t happen in all parts of the world.
1. Do you think that in a situation like this that perhaps it’s males who fear the capability of women, that they failed to recognize what the male in this situation tried to do , over what the female tried to stop?
How do you think heroism and gender differ? That even till today, is a male hero seen “saving the day”, far superior than a female saving the day?
Inluding the situation with Mariam, and today’s society, is male heroism hailed and females hidden?
I believe that in such atmospheres where women are restricted from living freely, men are insecure and fearful of the strength that women can have. If women are given power and exposure to education, (knowledge is power) they will be more inclined to stand up for their rights and speak against injustice and men will be less powerful. As I see it, stoning Mariam is just another form of exercise of the Taliban’s tyrannical power over women. In one of the rules, it says if a woman paints her nails, she will lose a finger; therefore, being stoned to death is a predictable outcome for a woman killing a man in such a society. By stoning Mariam, the Taliban want to establish a precedent for other women so that they fear the power of men even more. If Mariam was applauded for her actions, Taliban women would be encouraged to speak out and express themselves in society, which would decrease the tyrannical power of men. So despite whether Mariam was right/wrong, she was stilled stoned so that men could maintain their level of power.
ReplyDeleteNo I don’t think that men have more fame or recognition compared to women when they save the day, at least not in many developed countries. In fact, when women save the day they often get more publicity…simply because their women and it is considered shocking to see them being heroes. Throughout history many women are listed as being the heroes such as those who worked in typically male jobs during WW1. Many suffragists and The Famous Five are also credited as being heroes and gaining women the power to vote and be a part of the Senate. Internationally, Mother Teresa is well known for helping the poor. However, in general, it is much harder for women to be acknowledged for their heroism where men use their power tyrannically. It seems as though women can be heroes anywhere; it depends on what extent men are willing to expose their heroism, which is obviously very little in many rural areas.
After reading your post I thought of a question
Even if women do perform acts of heroism, are they still at the mercy of men for their acts to be acknowledged? And in developed countries, where women are recognized for their heroic actions, is it only because men give their APPROVAL…?
The notion that men have to back down or allow women to be recognized depicts women as being less powerful in general.
I think you were thinking of Wonder Woman, not superwoman. Anyway, I think Sundas has raised a good point about gender inequality outside of Western society. I agree with Simmi's argument that men often discriminate against woman to demonstrate their dominance in an effort to succumb their insecurity. However, as we have seen with A Jihad For Love there is a heavy intolerance of homosexuals and woman within the Islamic community. Therefore, I do not think that fear of woman is the motive behind these discriminate actions. I think that the dominant discourse created by the religious and public institutions is the culprit in this case. In my opinion, the appeal to tradition is also a factor of this society’s resistance to change. I think under these circumstances, we should consider a person’s universal human rights and a person’s human dignity.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your other questions, no a male “saving the day” is not better in comparison to a female “saving the day”. I think that heroism is highly acclaimed regardless of a person’s gender. In Mariam’s case, there is a slight discrepancy between heroism and bravery. I think that her act of self-defence was brave and not necessarily heroic. Let’s not forget that she did commit murder and I do not find that heroic. Nevertheless, it was brave of her to confront her oppressor and to take action.
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ReplyDeleteDefiantly see your point Terry. That she did in fact commit murder and whether or not she was trying to do the right thing from a black and white perceptive that is clearly murder. Although, having read the book already I still feel at that point it truly was a selfless act. One has to define what a hero is, someone who is courageous and risk their own life to help others, or even some can say a person who sticks up for the right thing. But than again one can argue, what's the right thing to do in a situation like this? Now that I see your point, I could possibly see myself re- thinking whether that was in fact more heroic or courageous of Mariam. Rasheed tried to kill Laila, and I probably should have made this clearer but Mariam actually tied to hit him so he could get off of her, although it ended up killing him. And, the reason why she dies is because she turns herself over to the Taliban in fear that Laila might be implicated with murder. It wasn't her intention to kill, it was to save and to me it over looks what had happened to Rasheed. It's like when a police officer arrest someone but they shoot at the officer, at that point the police officer is allowed to fire in an attempt to protect themselves. The issue for me here was as to why she was stoned to death for killing Rasheed and that to, to protect a life, when he attempting to murder out of range went innocently unnoticed by the Taliban even if he was dead. No where in the Islamic realign does it state of such inequality of woman, and if they are to punish them, why are the actions of men forgiven? Is this really an act towards the justice of "religion”, or just simply discrimination?
ReplyDeleteI also see your point on how the fear of woman is not the motive behind discriminatory actions of the Taliban; it's actually the religious beliefs here that are being manipulated. Everything is completely blown out of proportion and it's saddens me that as a woman and one of an Islamic faith, that there are people who claim to believe in the same God I do, but act completely opposite to it. Even it terms of gender in Islam, there is evident proof in various parts in the Qur’an that reveals how a woman is treated, Allah says, “O You who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness...” I understand it’s a little off topic, I just felt it was necessary to clarify that because I am highly offended as to how the Taliban have implicated such unreasonable rules, based on “Islam”.
As for Simmi, that honestly is such an interesting question! I truly believe that any act of heroism or simply any act of good speaks for itself. Men have no reason to approve of heroism in women, but the public recognize it and speaks for itself. I don’t feel that men have to back down, for any act of heroism should have nothing to do with gender. It’s a selfless act one does to either protect someone, or simply just do the right thing. We all interoperate the right thing differently, so I think the decision of acknowledgment depends more on a society and their perceptive in general rather than males. Although, I am fortunate to live in a country like Canada where this is more common to say, however in other counties it may be that if a woman is acknowledged for heroism, it is because of the fact that men had to approve of recognizing any female act of intrepidness.
P.s Terry I think your right, haha I meant wonder woman!
Heyy!! Superwoman is real too! :P
ReplyDeleteA Thousand Splendid Sons, eh? Khaled Hosseini? I'll give it a read :P
Ah, it's terrible how women are treated in those places. It's got a lot to do with tradition as Terry said but also in part ignorance. The taliban bases it's rulings on Sharia Law, which is a combination of teachings in the Quran, practises of Prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H). However, these laws have existed unchanged in this religion for 600 years.
I do not feel that it is meant to be studied in it's exact meaning as life has changed since Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)'s time.
Sometimes situations aren't so black and white anymore. It's not clear as to whether or not Mariam did murder Rasheed from what Sundas wrote about the story. Did she use a reasonable amount of force when she was defending herself against Rasheed? Was her intent murder? Was it really SELF-defence when Mariam killed Rasheed when Laila was being abused, not Mariam? In any case, Sharia Law is retributive; an eye for an eye.
It's time for change in that country but the main reason we can't do that is because they are so stubborn and set in their ways. They do not care if they're hurting innocent people, they will do whatever they think it takes to please Allah. They are extremists afterall!
To answer your question though,
I feel that our society recognizes heroism in males and females equally.
. Unfortunately, yes in some parts of the world such as Afghanistan, the law favours men over women. This is mainly because the Taliban group controls and form new laws that are prisoning and punishing women even more. The control, power and pride they have is all because of the way they treat women.-(i.e. tell them what to do and what not to do). It makes them feel as if they have that power to do anything they want so obviously they would feel very insecure if the women are now being rebellious. If these women are taught to rebel and fight back for their rights than I do think that one day they will achieve the right to live their lives they want. Of course, it will be still according to Islam since it is an Islamic country but that does not mean that their freedom of choice will be restricted, they have the freedom to work, to gain education etc. So to answer your question, I do think that the female might be punished even though she is innocent but at the same time it does really depend on the judge. To be honest, I do not think that there would be many really educated and fair judges there since they would want to go to a better country ( like Canada) to have a better life so most likely it is someone from the Taliban group who supports the Taliban. Also, I think females are usually portrayed to be more calmer and less aggressive/angrier than men which maybe in a case like Kiranjeet Aluwalia (the true story of a women who set her husband on fire after 10 continuous years of abuse and rape) she was found guilty.
ReplyDelete2. Media mostly shows females to be the victims especially in many kid/cartoon movies such as Spiderman, Megamind etc. However, in some movies such as freedom writers and miss congeniality, the females are portrayed as the saviours and the heroes of the day and these movies are usually very successful too and this is because we do not often see them playing hero roles. In reality, women are more applauded for their heroism in more developed countries than 3rd world countries, however, they might be still recognized. An example would be Harriet Tubman and Laura Secord; they both put their lives at risk to save others.
3. I do not think female heroism is hidden but in some parts of the world male heroism is hailed more than female heroism, however, it is opposite in many western countries where you would find female heroism to be hailed much more and seen everywhere in the media than a male heroism and I think it is because it is not much seen, which is why we really appreciate and value these brave and courageous women who put their lives on the line to save others and I think we should continue too.
Fatima I like your points, and especially the one about how the Taliban do have that power and would feel insecure of the female population started to rebel. What questions me is how this has all started? Is it the society who allows men to take over like this? I agree and think that if females as a whole took action that maybe there could be a change. To Sadaf, in the book what happened ( I apologize if I was not clear about it before) , but Rasheed was extremely furious with Laila and hit her, and she got very upset and him back hard to the point where he threatened to kill her. He was going to kill her and Mariam came and hit him. I see your point that it’s still a mystery if Mariam killed Rasheed out of revenge for hurting her so much or to protect Laila but in my opinion it was to save her life. If Mariam wanted she could have taken revenge any time, and it isn’t a coincidence that she killed him when he was about to kill Laila. It really is a time for change in that country, and I’m sure there are people who want it to but they made need help for developed countries like ours to recognizing that problems like this, especially matters with life and death need to be taken care of. I try to start even in small ways, to stick up for what is right in hopes that woman like Mariam and Laila are treated justly.
ReplyDeleteA woman being manipulated on what not to do and what to do is so outrageous. They are basically being tried as rugs. Women are not regarded as human-beings. They are only called onto when these men feel lonely or want to satisfy themselves by sexually abusing these innocent women. Because the men are unwilling or too lazy to be educated or work, they fear once the women are educated, they may spread the cruel information of these Taliban to others across the world. In so doing, the women are confined in an area.
ReplyDeleteA male hero seen “saving the day”, is far more superior to a female saving the day. Stereotypically, men are known to be way stronger than women. Most men are capable of lifting twice the amount of heavy load a woman meant attempt to carry. Women are most likely to worry about risking their lives for someone the known not of. For instance, the majority of people in the army are males because of their speed and tendency to get missions done accurately and effectively.
No, I don’t think female heroism is hidden. People are acknowledged by the media so far as they master the courage to do something beneficial to the country. As Simmi mentioned the “Famous Five”. The famous five were acknowledged and honoured for not sitting for a change to occur but rather being the change the wanted to achieve.
This book has definitely moved me. It was one of the most intriguing stories that I have ever read by far. Thinking of what people, and especially women, have gone through in those less developed or non-western countries of the world is very heart braking. The book goes to show the country and the freedom of women before the Taliban gained power among its people, and after. The aftermath of their rule has devastated the lives of many innocent young man and women. The idea that men fear the capability of women in their society is true in many levels. If women were allowed education, freedom of speech, work and all other attributes they are now entitled to have in the more developed countries, than men would no longer be heroes. They express their cruelty, their heroism by banning rights and abilities of women. As seen in the book, that is the only way men can assume difference and show the rest of the world their power, religion and manhood even if by serving injustice to their own people. Digging into the culture and finding out the reasons to all of this inhumane treatment of women, one will actually realize that fear of women’s abilities are not the only drives to these acts. Religion is also used a basis to most of the rules and regulations they have set for people to follow. To my opinion, although a crime, the idea that Mariam killed Rasheed and turned herself in to save the life of the young Laila, is the most brave and courageous thing to do. However unacceptable, these two women had gone through so much with this cruel old man, whom they had lived with in such despair. Things like this may seem as murder and crime by people who have never been in the situation, but for those who have lived it; it is in fact “saving the day”.
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