The Image of Women in Arab Theater Between Feminism and Sexuality: A Case Study of the Play “The Mask”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1501.26Keywords:
sexuality, feminism, Theories of Patriarchy, genderAbstract
This research investigates the question of who is responsible for crafting the image of women in Arab theater. It presents a comprehensive panorama of the topic across the Arab world before delving into a case study from Jordan: the play “The Mask” by Jordanian playwright Nawal Al-Ali. The research also delves into the themes of sexuality and feminist creativity within Arab theater, questioning whether they represent radicalism or a necessity. It reveals, firstly, that the depiction of women from the dawn of creation has been shaped by the exegesis of sacred texts, casting her in the role of the tempter, portraying women as instruments of sexual allure in numerous works and contexts. Secondly, the study posits that the doctrines of patriarchal authority elucidate the male endeavor to dominate the sexual autonomy of women, their personal assets, and the theater of war, encompassing violence, assault, and enslavement as separate phenomena. The research sample demonstrates that, from the veil to nudity, men have dictated women’s clothing and modesty (or lack thereof) throughout history. Still, Nawal Al-Ali's text does not exhibit extremism; rather, it serves as a wake-up call for women to reclaim their humanity and assert their agency in choosing their own attire, free from the dictates of men. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that globalization and the decline of modernity have reduced women to mere commodities to be exploited by large corporations for financial gain. Therefore, the researcher passionately believes that addressing these issues is not only necessary but also imperative.
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